Gary L. Cotanch
Gary Lee Cotanch, age 85, of Poy Sippi, died peacefully on Monday, June 2, 2025, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Neenah.
He was born July 14, 1939, in Berlin, WI, the son of Dale and Florence Selle Cotanch. Gary was a 1957 graduate of Weyauwega High School. On June 10, 1961, he was united in marriage to Beverly Quimby.
Gary worked for the Wisconsin State Highway Department for 39 years. He kept Highway 49 in Waushara County clear of snow and ice in the winter and mowed the roadsides throughout the county. He took pride in keeping the roads safe. Gary was known as “49er” to many in the area because you could always find him “working hard” on the road. He also drove a milk truck for a number of years. Gary enjoyed listening to polka music, sitting in his garage watching the cars go by and waving at his neighbors. His greatest joy was mowing his lawn and keeping it immaculate. Gary was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Redgranite.
He is survived by his two daughters, Connie (Bob) Bohn and Tammy (Steve) Gurgel; three grandchildren, Ashley Stellmacher (fiancé, Jake Henriksen), Greg (Sadie Obrigewitch) Stellmacher and Misty (Cody) Boers; two great-grandchildren, Madison and Leighton Boers; one nephew, Jim (Lisa) Sattler; son-in-law, Larry Stellmacher; special friend, Sue Groskreutz; and other relatives and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly, on February 12, 2021; sister, Georgia (John) Sattler; and brother, Cyril Cotanch.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church in Redgranite. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Gregory Sluke officiating. Interment will be in Poy Sippi Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Barbola-Hempel Funeral Chapel in Poy Sippi. Memorials may be directed to Poy Sippi Community Betterment and Poy Sippi Fire Department. Anyone wishing to send a sympathy card to the family, please mail to Gary Cotanch, c/o Barbola-Hempel Funeral Chapel, PO Box 201, Poy Sippi, WI 54967.
Online condolences may be submitted and sent using the form below. You may also email condolences to the family through "barbolafc@yahoo.com". All condolences are private and sent only to the family.