Obituary for Gary Wortman

Gary Lee “Bucky” Wortman, 81, of rural Holmen, passed away at his home on January 2, 2026, with family by his side. Gary was born on June 12, 1944, in La Crosse, WI to Lester and Ida (Bottjer) Wortman. He attended Onalaska Elementary and Onalaska Luther High Schools. He joined the Navy in 1963 and had active duty on the USS Ponchatoula until 1965. He then continued in the Naval Reserve in La Crosse until 1968.

On June 19,1965, Gary married the love of his life, Mary Lou Fischer. Together they had two sons, Steve and Shawn.

After returning from the Navy, he worked as a welder at Trane Co., before becoming a self employed carpenter. He later went to work at CBS Homes in La Crescent, MN. After CBS Homes closed, Gary started working at Gundersen Clinic in La Crosse in the maintenance department. In addition to maintenance, he did carpenter work building various cabinets for doctors. He retired from there in 2009. After retirement, Gary and Mary traveled the country on their motorcycle trike.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Mary; sons, Steve (Rayna) Wortman of Onalaska and Shawn (Karla) Wortman of Onalaska; grandchildren, Heather (Cory) Janda of La Crosse, Chelsea (Brian) Litwin of Holmen, Caleb (Jossalyn Kokales) Wortman of La Crosse, and Kyle Wortman of Onalaska; great-grandchildren, Emma and Isabella Furuseth, along with Kyra, Carsen, and Maxwell Litwin; sister-in-law, Debra Sullivan; nephews, Paul, Arlen, and Bruce Stumlin; nieces, Belva Thompson, Julie (Mike) Schaub, and Angie Loehendorf; and nephew-in-law, Jim Klump; and many loved extended family members.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, LaVerne and Mildred Fischer; his sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Clarence Stumlin; brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Jean Wortman; and niece, Kelly Klump.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Lewis Valley Lutheran Church, Stevenstown, rural Holmen. A visitation to be held from 9 a.m., until the time of service. Pastor Emma Grinde will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. To honor Gary’s service to our country, military honors will be rendered by the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

A visitation will also be held from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., on Monday, January 12, 2026, at Fredrickson Funeral Home, Jostad Chapel, 121 N. Youlon St., West Salem.

The service will also be livestreamed on the Lewis Valley Lutheran Church Facebook page.

Online condolences may be offered to Gary's family at this site.