Gary L. Dorn

Gary L. Dorn, age 84 of Nekoosa, passed away on Monday, March 4, at home after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, March 14 at 11:00am at Christian Life Fellowship in Port Edwards. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00am until the time of the service. Pastor Dean Anderson will officiate.
Gary was born on September 23, 1939 to William and Clara (Lukas) Dorn in Antigo, WI. He attended Antigo High School and after graduation, attended UW Stevens Point for two years where he wrestled and played football. He married his high school sweetheart, Carole Quirk in 1961. The couple settled in Nekoosa and had three children. Gary worked at Nekoosa Papers/Georgia Pacific in Customer Service and Quality Control until he retired. After retirement, he drove potato truck for B&D Farms.
Gary was a member of Christian Life Fellowship and a man of deep faith. He was truly grateful for the love and grace of Jesus Christ in his life. He was devoted to his family and loved spending time with them whenever he could. He loved to attend the events of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Though Gary was not a veteran himself, he revered all veterans and those service personnel that defend our freedom. He took great pride in singing at many Independence Day celebrations. He was proud and grateful to live in the United States and felt honored to sing the national anthem at many Rafter games.
He had a beautiful voice and sang for many weddings and funerals throughout his years. He was a member of the choir at Nekoosa UCC, where he directed for many years, the Wisconsin Rapids Community Choir and the choirs of Christian Life Fellowship and the Town of Rome. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and playing cards, especially cribbage and sheepshead. He also enjoyed watching the Badgers, the Brewers, and the Packers. He was fortunate to attend the Ice Bowl in 1967. Gary was a very skilled woodworker and enjoyed sharing his beautiful creations with others. He loved telling stories, mainly about growing up on the farm with his sister and 3 brothers. His sense of humor, his love and his gentle spirit will be missed dearly by those who knew him.
Gary is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carole; children, Doug (Cindy) Dorn, David Dorn, and Pam Heckman; sister Marilyn (Dave) Jacobs; brothers, Harlan (Judy) Dorn, Norman Dorn, and Gordon Dorn; grandchildren, Diana (Matt) Kellum, Allison (Riley Behnke) Dorn, Keegan (Devin Gillis) Dorn, Dylan (Kellie) Heckman, Jed Heckman, Hannah (Kaleb Merk) Heckman, and Chloe (Steven Hass) Heckman; great grandchildren, Elias, Rory, and Leo Heckman, Eden Delaney, AtIna and Bentley Merk, and Ira, Isaac and Violet Morgan; Sisters in law, Pat (Joe) Logesky, Jeanne Schaper, Kathy (Keith) Karpf, Dawn (Terry) Fish, and Mary (Jim) Walechli; Brother in law, David (Florence) Quirk. He is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Cary Heckman; sisters in law, Jan Dorn, Dorothy Dorn, Jan Schwenn, and brothers-in-law, Hal Schwenn and Bob Schaper.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Aspirus Riverview Cancer Center and Compassus Hospice Services for the wonderful care provided to Gary in his final days. They would also like to express gratitude to all those who walked with the family through the late stages of his life including many dear friends.