Gary Robert Meske

Gary Robert Meske, age 90, of North Freedom, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.

Gary was born to Lawrence and Hazel (DuBois) Meske on May 1, 1934 in LaRue. He attended McCoy Elementary School in LaRue and Webb High School in Reedsburg.  He served his country in the US Army from 1957 until 1959 and later returned to serve his country in the National Guard from 1961 until his honorable discharge in 1962. He married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Angle, on May 19, 1956 at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Freedom. Gary worked as a butcher for North Freedom Locker and Pierce’s Supermarket. He later worked in maintenance and as a courier for the Baraboo School District until his retirement. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Freedom and a member of the North Freedom American Legion. Gary lived out his retirement years hunting, fishing, gardening, woodworking, baking. He especially enjoyed pampering his second love of his life, his fur buddy, Buster and lending a willing hand to everyone his path ran across. Affectionately known by many as “Uncle Dudley”, Gary loved life and filling others with his laughter, stories and smiles.

Gary is survived by his son, Kevin Meske of Madison; brother, Gayl (Ramona) Meske of Casa Grande, AZ; special nephew and niece, Richard Bell of Grand Marsh and Constance (Makoto) Toyoda-Bell of North Freedom; honorary granddaughter, Sandra Mai Toyoda-Bell; his best buddy, Buster, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Barbara; his parents and his sisters, Jean (Webster) Schwanke and Sandra (Robert) Bell.

A private graveside service will be held at Oak Hill Cemetery in North Freedom where military honors will be conducted. A public Celebration of Life well lived will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in North Freedom for a Gary and Barbara Meske memorial scholarship fund.