Gary John Ebensperger, 78, of Balsam Lake, Wisconsin, was called home on April 10, 2026, in Lake Holcombe Township while enjoying one of his favorite pastimes, fishing. Gary was born on Dec. 18, 1947, in Plum City, Wisconsin, the son of Leonard and Lorraine Ebensperger.
Gary graduated from Plum City High School in 1966. He married Judi Waldvogel on Dec. 17, 1966, and they had four children, Linda, Suzie, Mary, and Christina. They later divorced. Gary married Laura on May 29, 1988, and they had four children, Elizabeth, Katherine, Anna, and finally a son, Daniel.
Gary worked a variety of jobs in his lifetime but retired from GEA Processing and Engineering after 20-plus years of service. If you were looking for Gary on an average day, you would find him “putzing” around his pole shed, working on an endless list of projects. He was a Chicago Bears fan and found great joy that they beat the Packers in the playoffs this year. He loved to go to auctions and find his many treasures. He loved to read and to be outdoors, fishing, hunting, and working in the garden. His love for the family tradition of hunting at Holcombe and the farm in Plum City meant the world to him.
He was very proud of the people his children had become and took great pride in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all their accomplishments. He will be remembered for his perseverance, his opinionated nature, his humor and smile, and his storytelling, whether those stories were in-person or in one of his famous letters.
Gary leaves to celebrate and honor his life, his wife, Laura, and their children, Elizabeth (Nick Wilcox) Ebensperger, Katherine Ebensperger, Anna (Brian) Fesenmaier, and Daniel Ebensperger; his children from his first marriage, Linda Ebensperger, Suzanne (Scott) Brunner, Mary (Chris) Zimmerman, and Christina (Joe) Hoyt; his grandchildren, Aaron, Ben, Shelby, Taylor (Mitchell), Mason, Madison, Riley, Emma, Jack, William, and baby Fesenmaier due to arrive soon; his great-grandchildren, Peyton and Mildred; his sister, Judy (Gary) Nelson; nephew, Mathew (Kim) Nelson; niece, Michele (Matt) Gutsmiedl; sister-in-law, Karen (Rik) Obinger; and many other friends and family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Lorraine Ebensperger; infant sister, Mary; brother-in-law, Gary Nelson; father- and mother-in-law, Jack and Joan Dittrich; brother-in-law, Ron Dittrich; and his favorite yellow lab, Toby.
The family encourages you to come, remember, and share a story of Gary. A visitation will be held at Joy Lutheran Church in Centuria, Wisconsin, on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m., with a celebration following at the Balsam Lake Rod and Gun Club, from 6 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, April 18, a memorial service will be held at Joy Lutheran Church at 11 a.m. with an hour of visitation prior. Please join the family for lunch in the fellowship room following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Director Tom Kolstad and the Kolstad Family Funeral Home have been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
