Russell G. Gass

Russell G. Gass ("Rusty"), 84, passed away peacefully from heart failure on Wednesday, May 14, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Russell was born to Joseph and Gertrude Gass on May 24, 1923. He was raised on their farm in Holcombe, Wisconsin. After graduating from Holcombe High School, Russell had a variety of jobs-- as he enjoyed seeing different parts of the country. He picked cherries and potatoes in Sturgeon Bay, and in Florida and North Dakota . He also worked in a shipyard in Sturgeon Bay building submarines and cargo ships for World War II. Then, in the Holcombe and Cornell area, he farmed, and he worked at a wooden Dowels factory, and started a traveling roller-skating business, providing many evening of fun for young people. It was while skating that he met his future wife of 56 years, Mary DeMars. They were married on September 15, 1951, at Holy Cross Church in Cornell, Wisconsin. The couple moved to Rockford, Illinois where Russell worked for JI Case, and Mary was a telephone operator. In 1963, they moved to the Wausau area and Russell began his career at The North Central Health Care Center where he worked for 26 years--managing the purchasing department--until his retirement at the age of 66. Russell was a greatly respected, proficient, and ambitious employee who helped build the Materiel's Department. In 1973, he received an award for his excellent leadership during the move from the old Marathon County Hospital to the new Health Care Center. Russell enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, camping and traveling, collecting coins, attending his children's and grandchildren's ballgames, and playing cards. He was a licensed auctioneer, and volunteered many hours leading church, school, and community auctions. Russell will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Mary and his five children and their families: Sharon Post (fiancAC. John Philipp), Wausau, Raina (Bob) Pfundheller, Altoona, Daryl (Suzi) Gass, New Auburn, Tim (Dawn) Gass, Alberton, Montana, and Sheila (Trent) Westcott, Mosinee. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren whom he deeply cherished, and many nieces and nephews who loved their "Uncle Rusty." Other survivors include two brothers: Urban (Marge), Cornell, and Melvin (Pat) Gass, Bloomer, and brothers and sisters-n-law Doris Gass, Hawkins, Clare DeMars, Chippewa Falls, Roger and Joan DeMars, Eau Claire, and Sharon Crane, Rockford. Russell was preceded in death by his his son-n-law Larry Post and his brothers Lloyd and Raymond (and wife Jean) and his brothers-n-law Richard DeMars and Robert Crane. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Friends may visit from noon until 1:00, an hour before the service. Entombment will be in the Holy Angels Mausoleum, St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Wausau. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, May 19th, at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Russell's family would like to thank his many compassionate health care providers at the Wausau Dialysis Center and at Aspirus Hospital. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com