Gary Lee Bartz was born on May 4, 1947, to the late Lester and Marion Bartz in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and passed away peacefully in Hudson, Florida on January 21, 2024.
Gary graduated from Kiel High School in 1965. Shortly thereafter, he joined the United States Air Force as an avionics technician on various aircraft. He proudly served his country while stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California and Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam from 1966 to 1970. Following his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Gary moved back to Wisconsin where he met Cindy, the love of his life. Gary and Cindy were happily wed on April 16, 1971. Over the next 52 years, Gary and Cindy spent their time together bowling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends.
Gary spent a short time in law enforcement as a police officer for the Village of Kohler from 1971 to 1977. In 1978, he began his 30-year career at Kohler Company, starting as an electrician, before moving on to maintenance analyst, and then maintenance planner up until his retirement in 2008. After retirement, Gary and Cindy decided to escape the cold winters of Wisconsin and spent the winter months in Florida for a few years before becoming full-time residents, calling Heritage Pines in Spring Hill, Florida their new home.
Gary was known for his jokes and knew how to make people smile. As a husband, he gave his whole love and devotion to Cindy. As a father, he taught his boys respect and integrity. Family was everything to Gary, and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to make sure they were taken care of. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and son, and he will be missed dearly by those who loved him.
Gary is survived by his wife, Cindy; children, Nate (Wendy) Kraemer and Jason (Sarah) Bartz; grandchildren, Spencer, Callie, and Kaitlyn Kraemer, Madelaine (Andi) Barrickz, and Jacob Bartz; and sisters, Judy (Richard) Harriman, Nancy Weber, and Brenda Steffen. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Donna Engler and Barbara Blake; and his brother, Ricky Bartz.
A celebration of life will be held in Kohler at a future date.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Oak Hill Memory Care in Brooksville, Florida and Bayonet Hospital in Hudson, Florida for their care of Gary as well as the continued love and support from family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gary’s name may be directed to Bethany Lutheran Church in Kohler, Wisconsin, and Forest Oaks Lutheran Church in Spring Hill, Florida.
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