Gary LeRoy Schulke, 73, of Shiocton, WI, passed away at his home on Sunday, January 15, 2023, after a short battle with cancer.
Gary was born on January 5, 1950, to Edward Schulke and Irene (Leichtfuss) in Shiocton. After Gary graduated from Clintonville High School in 1968, he worked on the family farm while also working at Mister Donut in Appleton, WI. In 1978 he started working at Hillshire Farm (currently known as Tyson Foods) in New London, WI.
Gary was united in marriage to Mamie Coe of Shiocton in June 3, 1972 and went on to have two children, a son Michael and daughter Tracy. After 10 years of marriage, Gary and Mamie divorced in 1982. Gary would go on to meet Ellen Babino of Bear Creek and unite in marriage in July 8, 1986. Gary and Ellen had one daughter together, Amanda.
In April of 2021, Gary retired from Tyson Foods after 43 years. In retirement, Gary was able to spend his time tending to his large garden, adding to his 1/16scale tractor collection and watching a good old fashion western movie.
You name it, Gary grew it in his garden! He would look forward to the annual Seed catalog so that he could start planning what seeds to buy and how he would rotate the crops in his garden. Gary took great pride in tending to his garden and was always eager to expand where he could.
Gary also enjoyed woodworking and at one point had built an elaborate outdoor farm setup in the yard to display his 1/16 scale tractor and implement collection. Gary would rise with the sun and set up the farm equipment according to the farming season, spring drags and planters in the spring and combines in the fall. The farms were complete with concrete roads, miniature cows, fences, and detailed painting (Ellen’s artistic contribution) on the silos and barns.
Gary enjoyed relaxing at the end of a long and honest day’s work with a good old fashioned western movie. He was a cowboy and farmer at heart who loved to watch a John Wayne classic!
Gary was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Irene, and his brothers Roger, Ray and Orville. He is survived by his wife, Ellen, son Michael (Tina) of Clintonville, daughter Tracy (Chris) Weis of Oshkosh, daughter Amanda of Shiocton and stepson Tony Fletcher. He is further survived by his sister Carol Maas of Appleton and grandchildren Heinrich (Henry) and Walter Weis, step grandchildren Logan and Morgan Fletcher, step grandchildren Alex and Parker Lorge, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will hold a private internment ceremony at a later date.
The family extends our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to the ThedaCare Hospice nurses for their professionalism and genuine care and compassion for Gary during his time with hospice.