Gary Gonnering

Gary Gonnering, age 64 of Freedom, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 7, 2016.  He was born on Jan 2, 1952 to Jack and Catherine Gonnering of Freedom.  Gary married his beautiful wife Ethel (Vosters) on September 22, 1977.  Together they raised 4 children and were blessed with 5 grandchildren.
Gary learned valuable business skills from his father and uncles. In 1981 he began his own livestock business. Six years later he added dairy to the operation when he and Ethel purchased a farm near Seymour on State Rd 55. He worked diligently for 27 years and succeeded in building a successful business, retiring 2 years ago.  Gary was a active member of the National Republican Congressional Committee Business Advisory Council, proud supporter of our veterans, and Freedom Trail Blazers.
Gary loved to spend relaxing weekends at the family cottage on Cloverleaf lakes.  He would often be found relaxing in his armchair, tending to the grill, or watching over his grandchildren playing in the yard.  Gary loved the outdoors.  Fishing and hunting with his sons and friends, snowmobiling on the trails, dragging the ’69 Chevelle at WIR with his sons, and giving his grand kids tractor rides were some of his favorite past times.  Gary and Ethel enjoyed frequent drives to Door County to take in the scenic views and famed cherry pie.
Gary’s love for family, ability to organize, work ethic, confidence, and willingness to help, will be greatly missed.
Gary is survived by his wife Ethel and their four children: Nathan (Michelle) Gonnering and their three children, Abigail, Ethan, Isabelle, Jennifer (Brad) Arndt, and their two children, Olivia and Evelyn, Matthew Gonnering, Whitney Gonnering. Gary’s brothers: James (Mary) Gonnering of Kaukauna Michael (Patty) of Gonnering of Greenville, David (Marcella) Gonnering of Freedom, Richard Gonnering and Laura Gonnering; Mother in law Isabelle Vosters, brothers and sisters-in-law: Karen (Charlie) Breitzke of Florida, Diane (Bob) Froehlich of Neenah, Jan (Calvin) Stapel of Kimberly, Emily (Bob) VandenHeuvel of Black Creek, Christine (Bill) Kohrt of Freedom, Cindy (Gary) Scheelk of Freedom, Mark (Jodi) Vosters of Freedom, Glen (Kris) Vosters of Freedom, Vicki (Dick) Krueger of Appleton, Shelly (Bruce) Verstegen of Appleton, Kevin (Angela) Vosters of Freedom; And the many nieces & nephews and family and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Catherine Gonnering, his uncles and aunts: Clarance and Loraine Vandenberg, Donald and Rosemary Stoffel, Earl and Del Vaneperen, William and Dorothy Gonnering, Mary Gonnering, Donald and Lois Gonnering, Orville Gonnering, his father in law Gilbert Vosters, and his sister in law Beverly Ambrouis.
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Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at Appleton Alliance Church, 2693 Grand Chute Blvd, Appleton. Visitation will be at the Verkuilen-Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, N3972 Columbia Ave., Freedom, on Monday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday directly at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
 

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