Gary D. Vlietstra

Gary Dean Vlietstra, 59, of Ringle, passed away on Friday, October 22, 2021 at the Marshfield Medical Center in Weston, Wisconsin, surrounded by family. Gary was born the son of Jack and Karen (Geurink) Vlietstra of Ringle on March 5, 1962. Gary has owned and operated a dairy farm for over 35 years.  The farm was originally located in Weston prior to moving to Ringle in 2006.  He raised his two wonderful sons on the farm where they all enjoyed living in the country and being outdoors.  Although each owned independent farms, Gary worked his entire career with his brother Jeff doing shared fieldwork and chores. For the past several years, his longtime girlfriend Carrie Brzezinski worked with Gary raising beef and milking Red Holstein dairy cows.

When Gary was not farming, he enjoyed hunting, especially spring turkey season as well as raising and hunting pheasants.  He loved working his German Shorthairs guiding pheasant hunts.  He was also an avid fisherman and cherished time spent on the lakes and ice with Carrie. He will be truly missed but will live in the hearts of his family and friends.

Gary is survived by his longtime girlfriend Carrie Brzezinski of Ringle; children, Ryan (Karysca) Vlietstra of Ringle and Steve Vlietstra of Hatley; father Jack Vlietstra of Ringle; siblings Jeff Vlietstra of Ringle, Paul (Michelle) Vlietstra of Frisco, Texas, Sally (Terry) Vaughn of Brownstown, Michigan; and nieces Elissa and Lily.  He is preceded in death by his mother Karen.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Homes, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau. The memorial services will start at 12:30 p.m. with a luncheon to follow.  Burial will be in Forestville Cemetery, town of Easton.

Peterson/Kraemer Funeral is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.  The family requests that memorials donations be made to Marshfield Clinic (Cancer Care Wausau/Weston), Attn: MCHS Foundation, 1000 N Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 54​449.