Gary Carl Burgener JR.

Funeral services for Gary Carl Burgener Jr., 57, will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 27th, 2025 at the Fort Reno Building on the Wyoming State Fairgrounds, 400 West Center Street, Douglas, Wyoming with Pastor Tim Millikin officiating. Interment will be in the Douglas Park Cemetery with a reception to follow at the Douglas Moose Lodge #602, 120 North Second Street, Douglas, Wyoming.
Gary Burgener died at his home in Douglas on Monday, October 20th, 2025.
Gary was born on Wednesday, September 4th, 1968 in Powell, Wyoming. He was the son of Gary Carl Burgener and Kay D. (Bayne) Burgener. He spent his childhood on the Burgener farm in Powell, and later at the Pitchfork and Matador Ranches where he learned all his cowboy skills. He graduated from Watford City High School in North Dakota in 1986 and earned an Associate Degree in Animal Science from Dawson Community College in Montana.
Gary married Janelle Rae Leiseth on May 12th, 1989. Gary was a member of the PRCA and was a three-time Mountain States Circuit champion bareback rider. He rode at every major rodeo in the United States and Canada. When he retired from bareback riding, he worked in the oilfield until he became self-employed raising and training horses. He was an avid horseman and hunter. One of his greatest achievements was when he got a Boon and Crockett bull moose from the Snowy Range Mountains with his friend and horse mentor, Sam Meads. His most memorable hunting trip took place in Africa with his friend Darin Geringer.
He is survived by his wife, Janelle Burgener; three sons, Tanner Burgener, Reed Burgener (Macki), Dalton Burgener; two grandchildren, Peak Burgener and Hattie Mae Hannan-Burgener; three sisters, Corinne Miller (James), Tammie Cowherd, and Stephanie Underwood; and his mother Kay Burgener.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gary Burgener, on October 26, 2011 and his beloved brother-in-law, Reo Underwood, on September 16, 2017.
Serving as pallbearers will be, Fred Larsen, Darin Geringer, Ryan Underwood, J.W. Winkleplek, Jeff Miller, Justin Schwartzkopf.
Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Tanner Burgener, Reed Burgener, Dalton Burgener, Peak Burgener, and Hattie Mae Hannan-Burgener.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Justin Crisis Cowboy Fund, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919, Douglas Wrestling Club, 999 Eagle Drive, Douglas, Wyoming 82633, or Douglas Moose Lodge #602, P.O. Box 168, Douglas, Wyoming 82633 would be appreciated by the family.
The Gorman Funeral Homes-Converse Chapel of Douglas, Wyoming is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com
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