Gary William Thoeny, age 76, of Rice Lake, WI, died Friday, June 6, 2025 at his home surrounded by his loving family that he adored. He was born on August 25, 1948 in Menomonie, WI to Roger and Anita (Sagstetter) Thoeny.

Gary graduated from Cornell High School in 1966. He then entered the United States Marines in 1966 and served 2 tours in Vietnam and was later Honorably Discharged as a Sergeant in 1969. Gary was married to JoAnn Buresh on June 28, 1969 in Cornell, WI. He attended and graduated from Chippewa Valley Technical College with a degree in Business Marketing. Gary was a UPS driver for many years in the Chetek, Dallas and New Auburn area. He loved to ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting and was an avid Wisconsin Badger Fan.

Gary played fast and slow pitch softball and was an original player on the Rice Lake Orangeman Softball Team. Gary was the main captain on his pontoon where he loved coming in hot. He loved having coffee at Hardee’s with the guys and watching Jeopardy everyday. Gary has a pristine lawn and enjoyed mowing. He loved organizing the UPS Christmas Parties and the 4th of July Family Celebration. He was a strong man, humble, he loved to share, cared for others, he loved to donate to people in need and to help family and friends out. Gary was a very devoted family man, a wonderful husband, a great dad and a very special papa.

He is survived by his loving wife, JoAnn Thoeny; 2 sons, Jason Thoeny and Travis (Lysa) Thoeny`; a daughter, Amber (Brent) Kubat; 4 grandchildren, Austin Long (Myah Fraundorf), Haley Thoeny (Mitchell Lane), Ayden Kubat and Briley Kubat; his mother, Anita Thoeny; 2 brothers, Kevin (Deb) Thoeny and Mark (Aline) Thoeny; 4 sisters, Roxanne Ellis, Susan (Dave) Schantz, Kathy (Don) Hartung and Katelyn Farr; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Thoeny; a sister, Lucinda; a brother-in-law, Larry Ellis; a nephew, Adam Ellis.

Visitation will be held from 10AM-Noon, Thursday, June 19, 2025 at Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake, WI, with interment in the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI at 1PM, with Full Military Rites accorded him by the Rice Lake and Haugen American Legion Post Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner, WI.

Last Update: Jun 10, 2025 8:09 am CDT