Gary Duane Gander, 83, of Wyocena, passed away May 3, 2026 at UW hospital in Madison with his family by his side. 

Gary came from humble beginnings, born May 19, 1942, in Soldiers Grove, WI to Ethra and Merle (nee Dull) Gander.  He grew up on different farms in that area showing his early mechanical aptitude by fixing tractors and other farm equipment.  The family moved to Dane, WI in 1957 for work when the family gave up farming.   

On Oct 5th, 1963 he married Carolyn Johnson in Deforest. They bought their first home in Lodi on January 1965 paying a whopping $9,000.  After raising their two children, Russell and Sue in Lodi, they later moved to Deforest in 1987 and then their final residence in Wyocena in 1996.  

Gary loved his family and he invested in his first camper trailer around 1969 and the family did a lot of camping over the years creating many memories. Nothing could make him more happy than being with his grandkids and great grandkids  and hearing about their latest accomplishments.  He was so proud of their hard work and their success in life.  He was also warmly known as “grandpa” to many neighbors over the years and loved to spoil every “grandchild”  he had.  Gary is grandfather to Bethany, Caleb, Juan Pablo, and Jacob and great grandfather to Oakley, Jonah, Jayden, Joseph, and Jayce.   

Despite being restricted in physical activities after having rheumatic fever as a child, he had a successful career as an electrician.  After graduating from high school in 1960 he went to work at Hillested Electric until 1968 when he became a union electrician. Gary worked at Endres Electric from 1968 to 1997 and was part owner there in later years.  He also worked for Academy Electric from 1997 - 2008 when he retired.  In 1984 he became one of the first people in the state of Wisconsin to take and pass the Master Electrician test.  Gary loved being an electrician and took great pride in his work both on and off the job. He loved helping others be successful in his trade.  His reputation around Madison was so well known that the electrical inspector once said “If Gary did this job I don’t need to look at it!”

He had such a big heart and was known by all who knew him for helping his neighbors, family, and friends using his electrical/mechanical skills. He helped many people with electrical projects and could always be counted on for giving great advice on how to fix anything.  Even when he physically couldn’t do the work anymore his sharp mind supplied a wealth of knowledge for others.  

Gary loved his Wisconsin sports teams and was an avid fan of the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.  If there was a Badger football, basketball, hockey or volleyball game to be found on TV he could usually be found watching it.  

After getting away from his faith for a time  he returned to his roots in 1975 becoming involved in the Evangelical Free Church in Lodi and later in Deforest. On moving to Wyocena he became a member of Faith Bible Church in Rio.  Over the years Gary was very involved in church functions and taught Sunday school and Bible studies until a couple of months before his death. He loved studying the Old Testament of the Bible especially on how it was fulfilled in the New Testament.   His personal relationship with Jesus gave him a certainty of heaven and provided great peace and comfort in his final few days/weeks of life. In his last days with us, his final words of advice to family was, “Life is short.  You want to be sure to focus on the right things and spend eternity in Heaven. Nothing is more important.” He will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Grasse Funeral Home in Rio. A Funeral Service will follow his visitation at Faith Bible Church in Rio with Pastor Ramsey Bobzin officiating, meal to follow service at Grasse Funeral Home. Private internment will take place at Highland Memorial Garden in Stoughton.