Gary L. Kluge passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026 with his family by his side, at the age of 81.

Gary was born on June 24, 1945 to the late Leo and Millie (Schroeder) Kluge. He graduated from Hortonville High School in 1963, going on to serve in the Navy for two years and then in the Reserves for an additional two years.

On May 3, 1969, he married Darlene Elsner and they shared 57 years of marriage together. He worked as a car salesman and ran the Clark Station in New London for many years. From there he went to work for Curwood until his retirement.

Gary loved spending time with his family. In his early years, he enjoyed fishing with his son, Kevin, playing on a horseshoe league with his son, Scott, and working with his son, Cory, at Shamrock Heights Golf Course. He enjoyed hunting and fishing all throughout his lifetime but his favorite time was during deer season where he would spend a week (or more) at the shack with his three sons and other family and friends. He liked watching Packer games at his in-laws, with family. You could also find him listening to the Brewers, while lounging poolside near the fire.

Gary is survived by his wife, Darlene; their children, Kevin (Dee Dee) Kluge, Scott (Christine) Kluge, and Cory (Carrie) Kluge; grandchildren, Dillon Kluge and Kennedy Kluge, Brenna (Joey) Furman, Morgan (Tyler) Waldvogel, Abby Kluge (Emerik Handschke), and Lauren Kluge; great-grandson, Jackson Waldvogel; and step grandchildren, Cameron Hansel and Megan Hansel. He is further survived by his brother, Randy (Dawn) Kluge; his sister, LuAnn (Jim) Bartlett; sister-in-law, Jane Kluge; in-laws, Bob (Alice) Elsner, and Janet (Barry) Duch.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Millie; brothers, James Kluge and Bruce Kluge; niece, Lisa Bartlett; and father and mother-in-law, George and Fay Elsner.

The Kluge family would like to thank the staff of ThedaCare at Home Hospice for the compassionate care they gave Gary.

A Celebration of Gary’s Life will be held for family and friends beginning at noon on October 17, 2026 at the “Shack”.