Gary Gress

Gary G. Gress, 77, of Waukon died Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Funeral services were held Monday, May 1 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon with Pastor Grant VanderVelden officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Gary Gene Gress was born August 9, 1945 in Waukon, the son of Raymond Edward Sr. and Laura Mae (Hamann) Gress. He attended Ludlow #5 country school in rural Waukon. March 6, 1971, he married Dorothy Ann Johnson at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon.

Gary worked at Northern Engraving in Waukon as a foreman until it closed. He also worked at Quillin’s, drove semi and hauled milk for Gary Bulman, and drove semi for IAS.

Gary was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, going for rides in the country, and following Waukon sports and other activities, especially his grandchildren’s. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family, planning family reunions, and would call all his children every night to visit.

Survivors include his children: Vickie Gress of Onalaska, WI, Nancy (Joey) Smith of Owensboro, KY, Tim Gress, Troy (Michelle) Gress and Lori (Blair) Cahoon, all of Waukon, Cindy Topel of Monona and Tom Topel of Winona, MN; 14 grandchildren: Katie, Brody, Mason, Brennan, Ali and Chris Gress, Connor, Caden and Cooper Cahoon, Dustin (Erika) Lewey, Karrie (Austin) Stallings, and Zeke, Jeffery and Nate Smith; three great-grandchildren: Jese Lewey and Zander and EmmaGene Stallings; two brothers: Dean (Carol) Gress of McGregor and Jim (JoAnn) Duvel of Postville; a sister-in-law, Susie Gress of Blue Springs, MO; and a brother-in-law, Don Waters of Waukon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Dorothy, who died in 2016; two sons, Monte Gress and Steve Topel; a sister, Ardith Waters; a brother, Raymond Gress, Jr.; and his stepfather, Lloyd “Tim” Duvel.

Honorary casketbearers were his grandchildren. Casketbearers were Bryan and Jeff Waters, Mark Jones, Ray Gress, Randy Bloxham, Kevin and Virgil Johnson, and Jerry Schroeder.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.