Gary J. Schuster

Eau Claire - Gary J. Schuster passed away in his home on the morning of October 20, 2025, after battling a long illness. He fought voraciously, no matter what obstacle came his way, with tenacity and unmatched optimism.

Gary was born in Lomira, Wisconsin to Reuben and Edna (Eisenhaut) Schuster on February 25, 1949. He graduated from Mayville High school. He received his undergrad degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He then went on to earn his Juris Doctorate at the University of Tulsa College of Law. On a return visit to UW Madison in 1979 he saw an ad on the law school job board that the Republican Party of Door County, Wisconsin was seeking a candidate to run against the incumbent District Attorney. Gary moved to Door County and won the election. He served as the Door County District Attorney for 19 years until losing his bid for re-election in 1999. He was immediately hired as an Assistant District Attorney for Eau Claire County by then DA Ray Pelrine who had served as Gary's Assistant District Attorney in Door County. Gary remained in that position until his retirement in November of 2011.

During his tenure as District Attorney and with the assistance of the Sturgeon Bay Police Department he reopened and successfully prosecuted several decades old unsolved murder cases.

While Gary was proud of his work, he was even more proud of his family. Gary met his wife Marybeth in Door County. Just so happened he was her boss but this potential nepotism was overcome, and they were married January 30, 1982. In 1987 they welcomed their first daughter, Breanne, and Allison was born in 1989. Nothing gave Gary more joy than spending time with his girls. He was a proud, caring Dad who saw to it that his daughters enjoyed many adventures and were cheered on from the sidelines. He was a proud Packer season ticket holder for over 40 years and in his final years, he and Allison were able to attend the Packer games together in Green Bay. He so cherished those trips. Breanne followed in her Dad's footsteps and also became an attorney and he loved his chats with her and the bike rides they shared.

Until health and perhaps age (although he never admitted to that reason) Gary loved to play basketball and spent at least two decades playing on teams at the YMCA in both Sturgeon Bay and Eau Claire during his lunch hour. Gary always loved biking and about nine years ago he discovered Ebikes. You would find Gary riding anytime he had a chance. He was the guy with the music blasting as he explored the many bike trails in the Chippewa Valley and beyond. He loved talking about the approximately 10,000 miles he put on bikes. Gary's other joys were photography, reading, and music. He has a collection of over 1000 CDs and who knows how many flash drives loaded with his favorite music. And his many Facebook friends know he could not pass a waterfall or a bridge or ducks without taking a picture or 100.

Gary is survived by his wife, Marybeth; and his daughters, Breanne (Robbie) of Seattle, Washington, and Allison of River Falls, Wisconsin.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Randy.

We are so deeply going to miss Gary's wacky sense of humor; his intriguing driving skills; his delight in winning card games; his passion for justice and equality; and his passionate love for and devotion to his family.

A Memorial Service for Gary will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Chippewa Valley Cremation Services - Celebration of Life Center in Altoona, WI. This event will be livestreamed on www.chippewavalleycremtion.com. Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Celebration of Life Center. After the service is adjourned, the family invites you to join them at the Firehouse in downtown Eau Claire to give Gary the party he wanted.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services & Celebration of Life Center in Altoona, WI is serving Gary's family. To express condolences online, please visit www.chippewavalleycremation.com.