Gary Dale Lemler

Gary Dale Lemler, 74, of Colfax, passed away Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026, peacefully at home.

Gary was born in Eau Claire on May 23rd, 1952, to the late Robert and May (Foslid) Lemler. He attended Frazier School, a one room schoolhouse basically in his backyard, and went onto graduating from Colfax High School in 1970.

Gary married Deborah (Lausted) on June 9th, 1973 in Menomonie, Wisconsin. His first marriage with Deb brought two children into his life, Lori and Christina. He later found love again with the late Betty Jane (Faulkner) Lemler, and this brought Natasha into the world. They were married on June 16th, 1988, in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Gary grew up on his family's farm in Colfax, Wisconsin, and later built his home on the same land. He started working at Sanna Dairies in Menomonie when he was just 16 years old, retiring in 2005 at the age of 53. After retirement, Gary continued doing what he knew and loved, helping on the family farm and assisting his cousins with their farming whenever he could.

Those who knew Gary will remember the little things that made him unmistakably Gary. You could often find him at the kitchen table with a Miller High Life, a homemade cigarette, and Moose Country playing in the background. At 7 p.m. sharp, there was a good chance Gunsmoke would be on the television, whether he was watching the episode for the second time or the hundredth. He loved Harley-Davidsons, hunting, watching the deer behind his house, supplying the hummingbirds with nectar, and getting up before dawn to feed the stray cats. And if you ever visited Gary at home, you probably remember that the thermostat was always set to Gary's liking: warm, very warm, no matter what time of year it was.

Gary is survived by: his loving daughters; Lori Lemler, Christina Oppriecht, and Natasha (Brent) Jerde, step-son, Michael Simily, grandchildren; Hanna and Colton Oppriecht, Khaleb Lemler, and Aria Jerde, step-granddaughters, Dawn Lemons, Amber Talbert; sibling, Shery Lemler; sister-in-law, Rita Lemler, and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by; his wife, Betty; sibling, Roger Lemler; step-daughter, Lisa Lemons, and his parents.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice for their care during the last eight months.

A memorial service for Larry will be held at 5:30 PM on Monday, November 9, 2026 at Sampson Funeral Home with Luanne Prochnow officiating. Visitation will be for two and a half hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Hill Grove Cemetery at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Arrangements were entrusted to Sampson Funeral Home. Online condolences for Larry's family may be left at www.sampsonfuneralhome.com.