JEFFREY BARANIAK

Jeffrey “Jeff” Baraniak, age 57, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at ThedaCare Appleton Medical Center, after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on August 31,1967 in Antigo, WI, to Richard and Marjorie (Myszka) Baraniak. Jeff graduated from Antigo High School in 1985 and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology in 1989. 

Jeff began his career at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton, WI, as a Medical Technologist. After 10 years “dealing with winter weather”, he relocated to Las Vegas, NV, where he was a Medical Technologist for Quest Diagnostics for 22 years. Jeff moved back to Wisconsin to continue working with the ThedaCare system, and to be closer to his family.

He loved to golf and played on leagues throughout the summer, and bowled on leagues in Appleton, WI, and Las Vegas, NV. He also enjoyed going to Oneida Casino to bet on the “over/under”, where he would frequently win. He followed the Green Bay Packers religiously, watching games at dedicated Packer's bars in Las Vegas or his favorite establishments in Appleton. Whenever the Milwaukee Brewer's were playing, Jeff would often listen to the game and/or take bus trips there throughout the season. He enjoyed traveling and taking long weekend trips to wherever he felt like going. Spending time in Antigo meant having cookouts at his sister Tammy (Tom) Deacy's cottage on Neva Lake, grabbing a pizza at BB Jack's, or just hanging out with Antigo friends. Jeff had the gift of retaining trivia information, earning him the nickname “Cliffy” by his many close friends. Jeff's friends, no matter where they lived, meant a great deal to him. He was always there for his friends and family. 

Jeff is survived by his sister: Tammy (Thomas) Deacy of Appleton, WI; an uncle: Michael Myszka of Antigo, WI; aunts: Patricia Zuhlke of Sussex, WI, Arlene Baraniak of Milwaukee, WI, Judy Kivlin of Madison, WI; many cousins and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his parents; maternal and paternal grandparents; several aunts and uncles. 

A Celebration of Life is being held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00am, at Westgor Funeral Home, 1140 Appleton Rd, Menasha, WI, with visitation from 9:30am until the time of the service. A burial will take place at a later date. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of ThedaCare Appleton Medical Center, especially the nursing teams in the ICU and 5th floor. They not only took exceptional care of Jeff, but they took care of the family, as well. Another thank you to ThedaCare at Home Hospice, all of his co-workers in the lab at ThedaCare Gateway and ThedaCare Orthopedic, Spine, and Pain Clinic, for all of their support during Jeff's illness. 

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at a later date. 

Dear Jeff, thank you for being a good brother and a great friend to so many. Your sense of humor and ability to retain endless amounts of trivial information will be missed. Enjoy listening to Uecker providing color commentary of Brewer's games from heaven.