Gary G. Wenthe passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. Gary was born Oct. 7, 1947, in West Union, Iowa, to Robert and Alice Wenthe. After graduating from Siren High School in 1965, Gary enlisted in the Air Force in 1966. While stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona, he began a career as a munition specialist. He was stationed at Hahn Airbase, Lautzenhausen, Germany, where he met and married Elfriede in 1969. They returned to Wisconsin and lived in Clam Falls, where they raised their four children, Hans, Michael, Robert and Tanya. Gary and Elfriede divorced in 1992.
Gary also served in both the Minnesota Army National Guard and Army Reserve. He was an active member of the American Legion in Indian Creek, Wisconsin, for the past 50 years. During his years of service with the Legion he had served as treasurer for many years.
Gary attended Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, where he received his welder combination diploma in 1972. His training continued with a certificate of apprenticeship journeyman machinist in 1976. In 1985 he earned an Associate of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – Barron County. He completed his Bachelor of Science in English and political science from the University of Wisconsin – Superior in 1988. Gary worked for various companies throughout his life. Some of them include Ardisam, Parker and Eaton corporations, Graco and Polaris, where he was able to retire.
Gary loved the outdoors. Having grown up as a farm boy in Iowa and then Wisconsin, he loved spending time taking his kids fishing and hunting and loved to tell stories of his adventures.
Gary spent his retirement years in St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin. He moved to Traditions of Frederic assisted living in February 2023. He was very happy there. Unfortunately, Gary’s health declined quickly, and he received hospice care at Regions Hospital in St. Paul until his passing.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Alice Wenthe; and his sister, Cynthia Wenthe Sparks.
He is survived by his children, Hans, Michael, Robert (Johnny) and Tanya; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Gary is also survived by his siblings, Teresa Wenthe, Sheryl (Wenthe) Edison, Steven and wife Patzy Wenthe, Roberta Wenthe and Kimberly (Wenthe) Killeen.
Gary’s funeral is scheduled for Friday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clam Falls Lutheran Church, in Clam Falls, Wisconsin. All who knew him are welcome to come.
You are welcome to leave condolences with Grandstand Funeral Home, Lindstrom, Minnesota, at grandstrandfh.com.
