Gary "Bubba" Stolt

 

Gary Edward Stolt, born July 17, 1958, in Chippewa Falls, WI to DeWayne and Darlene (LaGesse) Stolt, left this world of joy and sorrow for one of only joy on September 30, 2023.

Gary was baptized into the Christian faith on August 10, 1958, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Bloomer and confirmed that faith there at his confirmation. Gary served as treasurer for the congregation for a time, was a willing usher, and supported the congregation in many other ways.

Many know Gary as “Bubba”.  Gary first received this nickname from his uncle, Jesse LaGesse, as they watched the show Bubba Louie and Quickdraw McGraw.  When Gary began to play football in his middle school years the nickname returned and it has remained to this day.

Gary loved so many things.  He loved sports - as a player, a referee or umpire, and a spectator.  While he loved basketball, football, baseball, and tennis; he appreciated the skill and dedication required to excel at any sport, really at any activity.  While it was always great to be on the winning side of any endeavor, it was more important to him that the best effort was put forth and if you went down, you went down giving it your all. He loved being outdoors and active.  We will miss seeing him biking around town.

As a player I don’t think anyone out there could think of a better team member.  Smart, dedicated, fun-loving, he played with heart.  He loved getting together to play any sport any time and enjoyed many years running the Bloomer Men’s Basketball League.

As an umpire and referee, his greatest joy was helping the younger ones learn from the calls he made.  He rarely made a call without explaining to that young player what to avoid to be able to play at a higher level.

As a spectator he certainly enjoyed watching his favorites - the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Badgers, and his alma mater Black Hawks.  Most recently he was allowed the special pride and privilege that comes from watching his own grandchildren begin to exhibit their love of sports in football, baseball, basketball, swimming, soccer, cross country, dance . . . and the list goes on.

He loved music.  His knowledge of artists and recordings was extensive.  He loved a variety of music and often preferred the lesser played selections.  This love of music was exhibited in his collection of vinyl, CDs, cassette tapes, and even music on a reel to reel.  But more than that he loved the live performance - enjoying many concerts with family and friends.  His favorite artists?  Hard to say, but he sure loved to hear his wife, girls, and grandchildren sing.

He loved food!  He loved preparing it to give pleasure to others, as well as eating it himself.  Hands down the best charcoal chicken EVER!  He preferred to grill anything and everything and while he didn’t hunt or fish, he sure enjoyed the spoils of the labor of others as they shared with him.

He loved his friends . . . and he had a lot of them!  Gary had so many friends because he was a truly good friend himself.  He was fun, non-judgmental, kind, quick to share whatever was needed, and someone you could depend on for anything.

Gary loved his family.  He certainly loved his siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles, but he especially loved his own wife, children, and grandchildren.  Marrying Rita (Morning) at St. Paul Lutheran church on August 9, 1980 was one of the best days of his life.  He loved his children and especially enjoyed connecting a musical selection to them or their names.  His daughters eventually gave him sons through the wonderful men they married.  His grandchildren were an added blessing giving him great joy watching them grow and enjoy life.

Gary, Bubba, will be dearly missed, but more importantly, fondly remembered because of the man he was.  A man who loved so many things and so many people so much.  A man who is deeply loved by so many.  Through Christ Gary has won the most important victory.  Go rest high on that mountain, son.  Your work on earth here now is done. (Vince Gill)

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to support your local school or community sports, music, or performing arts program.  Thank you!  The family of Gary “Bubba” Stolt.

Gary is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rita Stolt; four daughters: Janelle (Jacob) Harder of Colfax, Lorelei Ernster of Eau Claire, Sara (Justin) Briggs of Chippewa Falls and Jamie (Cody) Peterson of Chippewa Falls; 8 grandchildren: Lindsay (Fiancé, Dennis Lu) Sherman, Eden Ernster, Hailee and Lilly Nordlof, Ella, Hans, Alice and Jude Harder; brother: Roger (Kim) Stolt of Albert Lee, MN; sisters: Mary (Doug) Gervais of Bloomer and Carol (Randall) Schick of Chippewa Falls; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and countless friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents: DeWayne “Skyball” and Darlene Stolt; grandson: Henry Harder; brothers: Loren, Wayne “Skeeter” and Billy Stolt; and sisters: Suzie Stolt and Kerry Stolt.

Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00pm on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Bloomer. A memorial service will begin at 3:00pm on Sunday at the church. Inurnment will be at the Bloomer Cemetery. Following the burial, a picnic and celebration of life will be held at the 9th Avenue North Park. Olson Funeral Home in Bloomer is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at olsonfuneralhomebloomer.com