Gary George Gauthier died peacefully in his home on Saturday, January 17, 2015 in Wittenberg, Wisconsin, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was 72.

Gary, the eldest of five children, was born on March 26, 1942 to George and Aura (LeFebre) Gauthier, in Lena. He married high school sweetheart, Janice Koepke, and they proudly added three daughters to their family. Gary served two years of active duty in the United States Army. He and Janice ran Gauthier’s Electric, Plumbing & Heating. In 1973 they opened Gauthier’s True Value Hardware in Wittenberg, and added stores in Tigerton, Stevens Point and New London throughout the years. After Janice passed away, Gary married Sharon (Jahnke) Kreitzer in 2004. They enjoyed building homes, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Gary took pride in his work and meetings with the Stock Club. In his final years he looked forward to coffee with his friends and family, planting trees at the farm and spending time at the cabin.

Gary is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters, Kathy (Jeff) Gwidt and Kristi (Tom) Blumreich, both of New London and Sheryl (Matt) Sherrick, Neenah; grandchildren, Mindy (Josh) Danke, Gregg (Brandi) Gwidt, Casey Blumreich, Alissa Blumreich, Erik (Renee Arrowood) Doolittle, Brady, Karsen and McKenzie Sherrick; stepchildren, Steven Kreitzer, Karon (Dan) Weisensel and David Kreitzer, all of Wittenberg; step grandchildren, Mandy Roth, Claire (Jeff) Moenke, Cody Kreitzer, Steven Kreitzer, Cassandra Kreitzer, Maddie Deicher and Samantha Pember. Gary is further survived by great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Aura Gauthier, wife, Janice and mother and father-in-law, Arthur and Elvira Koepke.