Obituary of Gary Bruce Gebhardt

Gary Bruce GEBHARDT, age 75, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2011, at his home surrounded by loving family. Gary was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin on October 12, 1935, the son of Pearson and Ruth (Mueller) Gebhardt. He was a resident of Fort Atkinson all his life. He served his country in the Army-National Guard during the Berlin Crisis from 1953 until 1962. On October 29, 1955, Gary married Shirley Mae Patefield in Fort Atkinson. Gary worked in the family owned Gebhardt Plumbing from 1953 until 1969 when he started his own business, Gary Gebhardt Plumbing. Gary retired in 2005. He was a member of the Fort Atkinson Fire Department for 34 years, retiring as Assistant Chief. Gary was a member of the American Legion, the Jefferson County Mason Lodge #9, Zor Shriners of Madison, and a member of Friedens UCC, where he served on the church board. Surviving are: Wife: Shirley Gebhardt, Fort Atkinson, WI, Children: Kathleen (Linda Anderson, Partner) Gebhardt, Fort Atkinson, WI, and Keith (Jane Christianson) Gebhardt, Mckay Point, South Carolina, Granddaughters: Wendy (Dave) Johnston, Overland Park, Kansas, Haley (Zach) Bottiger, Yemassee, South Carolina, and Elizabeth "Betsy" Gebhardt, Columbia, South Carolina, Great-Grandchildren: Alania and Leo Johnston, and Pearson and Colton Bottiger, Two Sisters: Nancy Hoefs, Batavia, IL, and Shari Bienfang, Fort Atkinson, WI and an Aunt: Angeline Gebhardt, Fort Atkinson, WI. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, and a brother-in-law, Charles Hoefs. Friends may call after 3:00PM on Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Atkinson. A walk-through by the Fort Atkinson Fire Department will at 5:15PM. Funeral Services will be held 6:00PM at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Atkinson with Rev. Chris Buckingham-Taylor officiating. Services will be followed with a supper in the church hall to celebrate Gary�s life. The Fort Atkinson Fire Department will meet at the Nitardy Funeral Home at 9:15AM on Thursday, March 24, 2011 to provide escort for a 10:00AM burial in the Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Fort Atkinson Fire Department, Zor Shrine Childrens Hospital, or to the charity of one�s choice. Nitardy Funeral Home, Fort Atkinson is assisting the family.