Gerard "Gary" A. Bargender

Gerard A. “Gary” Bargender, 72, town of Cassel, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, December 4, 2025, while under the care of Compassus Hospice at House of the Dove, Marshfield.

Gary was born on July 18, 1953, in Wausau, son of the late Andrew and Edna (Wilde) Bargender. After Sacred Heart Catholic School, he attended Edgar High School, was a member of the Swing Choir, and graduated in 1972. Gary was a hard worker and a proud dairy farmer, having continued his family's farming legacy. He looked forward to wearing his t-shirts celebrating Wisconsin cheese, especially one that reads, “In Wisconsin, we put cheese on our cheese.” Though he was busy on the farm, he did not hesitate to stop what he was doing to help his family and neighbors or even shoot the breeze for a couple hours.

On September 2, 1989, he married the love of his life Sally Lepak at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. She survives. They enjoyed 36 wonderful years together and were blessed with seven children. Gary was most proud of his family and enjoyed telling everyone, including his healthcare providers, about his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family and always wished that everyone could be together as often as possible.

In his free time, Gary enjoyed watching westerns and John Wayne movies, going for a drive, visiting with friends and neighbors, and collecting John Deere two-cylinder tractors including his Grandpa Wilde’s John Deere 40, which he unexpectedly found on Craigslist and brought back home to the family farm.

His family will always remember Gary’s wisdom and knowledge. His strength was also admirable, not only during his years of farming but also during his fight with cancer. Even in his last few months on earth, he wished to help his family in any way he could and managed to tie up some loose ends on the farm for them while undergoing chemotherapy. His family will greatly miss his huge heart, quick wit, cheerful spirit, big grin and joyful laugh, his storytelling, and his generosity.

Survivors include his wife, Sally Bargender, town of Cassel; his seven children, Amanda (Richard II) Studer, Wesley, Iowa; Rachel (Brian) Schultz, Milton; Robert Bargender, town of Cassel; Michaela Bargender, Iola; Andrea, Abigail and Gabrielle Bargender, all of the town of Cassel; four grandchildren, Clara, Ida and Gemma Studer and Ethan Schultz; two brothers, Edward (Mary) Bargender, Rib Mountain, and Dennis Bargender, Hatley; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Imogene Sommer, and her husband, Gerald Sommer; a niece, Diane Bargender; his mother-in-law, Sandra Lepak; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, town of Cassel. The Rev. Don Bosco will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:00 am until the time of services. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements.

Gary’s family wishes to express many thanks to the Compassus Home Health and Hospice teams, especially his neighbor and home health nurse, Alice Werner, and to family and friends who helped in many ways.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to any Pro-Life organization. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com