Obit: Schlueter, Gary Lee (1944 - 2007)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Schlueter, Sabatke, Geiss, Kloss, Katzenmaier, Brown, Leary

---Source: Foto News (Merrill, Lincoln Co., Wis.) Wednesday, 26 Sept. 2007; Page 9

---Schlueter, Gary Lee (8 Aug. 1944 - 23 Sept. 2007)

Gary L. Schlueter

Gary Lee Schlueter, 63, of Merrill, died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007, at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill.

Born in Wausau on Aug. 8, 1944, Gary was the son of Phyllis Sabatke Schlueter and the late Raymond Schlueter. He married Valerie Geiss on Feb. 12, 1966, in Merrill. She survives.

Gary was a 1962 graduate of Merrill High School. While in high school, he set pins at Golden Lanes where American Family Insurance is now located. He joined the U.S. Navy and trained at the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Ill. He served for three years on the USS Forestal aircraft carrier during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After leaving the Navy, he returned to Merrill and worked for Siems Oldsmobile Cadillac and later at Sharon Chevrolet doing vehicle reconditioning. After that he worked at Northern Welding in Wausau. Gary worked for Geiss Candy Company and later joined Geiss Meat Service. In 1975 he founded the smokehouse and sausage business. Gary purchased his share of Geiss Incorporated in 1976 along with John and Jerry Geiss. Gary was a member of the board of Geiss Inc. for over 30 years and served as president for several years. In 1991, he was a founding member of SGS, an environmental construction company which is now owned and operated by his son and daughter-in-law Jay and Beth Schlueter. Gary was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher. He was a life member of VFW Post 1638 in Merrill. Gary was a volunteer fireman for the former Little Florida Fire Department. Gary enjoyed bowling, dancing, camping, hunting and reconditioning cars. He was an avid Badger and Packer fan and a Packer shareholder. Gary also enjoyed following NASCAR. He especially enjoyed being outside and spending time with his grandchildren.

Gary wanted everyone to know that thanks to his loving family, he was able to spend his final days at home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to St. John Lutheran Church or School or the Hope Lodge in Marshfield.

Survivors include his wife Valerie, Merrill; sons Jay (Beth) and Jeremy, both of Merrill; grandchildren Jacob and Marissa Schlueter, Merrill; his mother Phyllis Schlueter, Merrill; brother Randall (Vivian), Merrill; and sister Cheryl (Kelly) Kloss, River Falls. He was preceded in death by his father Raymond; infant sister Carol Jean; father-in-law Edwin J. Geiss; brothers-in-law Ken Katzenmaier and Jeff Brown and sister-in-law Mary Geiss.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at St. John Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Kelly Leary will officiate. Entombment will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, Wausau. Visitation will be this evening, Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., at the Waid Funeral Home, Merrill, and again tomorrow morning from 10 a.m. to the hour of services at the church. Full military honors will be provided by the VFW Post 1638 Honor Guard.

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