LaVerne “Jack” Floyd Gasser, age 92, passed away on June 25, 2026, of natural causes, lovingly surrounded by his family. Jack was born on October 18, 1933, in the Town of Hutchins in Shawano County to Floyd and Lena (Ecker) Gasser. He grew up on a hard‑scrabble dairy farm in Gresham that lacked running water and electricity.
Jack graduated in 1951 as valedictorian of Gresham High School, where he excelled in both baseball and basketball. In 1953, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for four years, stationed in Mississippi, North Africa, and California. He was proud to be a Korean War–era veteran and carried that service with deep honor throughout his life.
On June 2, 1956, he married the love of his life, Ardeen Barkow, at Stony Hill Lutheran Church in Shawano. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
After his military service, Jack used the GI Bill to earn a degree in electrical engineering—just in time for Sputnik and the dawn of the space race. His first engineering position was with AC Electronics in Oak Creek, WI, where he helped build the guidance systems that steered the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. He often met with astronauts who visited the facility, and he frequently said that the proudest moment of his career was watching the world witness Apollo 11 land on the lunar surface.
Jack then worked for Xerox and Pillar Corporation in the Milwaukee area, but his longtime dream of returning to northern Wisconsin came true in 1974 when he joined Coleman Products and moved from Wind Lake to Crivitz. There, he once again had the land and horses he loved. Jack later worked for Unlimited Services in Oconto until his retirement.
A gifted mechanic and restorer, Jack rebuilt numerous classic cars—handling everything from mechanical work to painting. He could fix anything and was always ready to lend a hand. It is no exaggeration to say he had forgotten more about cars than most people ever learn. He attended car shows across the country for decades, and his sacred yearly pilgrimage since 1978 was to the Iola Car Show. His 1988 Mustang GT was featured there during the 50th anniversary tribute to Mustangs.
Jack loved traveling with Ardeen throughout the United States. One of the great honors of his life was being selected for the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2013—a trip that deeply touched him and remained one of his most cherished memories.
Jack played softball into his 40s and was well known as an outstanding ice skater, bowler, golfer, deer hunter, and polka dancer. He was the number‑one fan at all his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting, musical, school, and 4‑H activities. In keeping with his giving spirit, he was also known to let referees and umpires—gently or not so gently—know when they had made a bad call.
He was deeply involved with Beaver American Lutheran Church and completed all the electrical work during its remodeling and expansion. One of Jack’s favorite movies was It’s a Wonderful Life, and like George Bailey, he touched countless lives. The world is a better place because he was in it.
Jack is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ardeen; his sons Jeffrey (Jacqueline) and Jay (Kerry); and his daughter Jodee (Greg) Millette. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jacob (Kristin) Gasser, Alyssa (Jake) Lukanich, Ryan Gasser, and Meghan Gasser; and great‑grandchildren Zoe and Joseph Gasser, and Jack and Jedd Lukanich. Additional survivors include his brother Roland (Joanne); sisters Belva (Merle) Swanson, Glenda Flauger, and Lois (Jim) Sippel; brother‑in‑law Dave Tushoski; and sisters‑in‑law Elaine Tooley, Darla Gasser, and Marion Gasser; numerous nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Stanley, Archie, and Billy; his sister Peggy Tushoski; brothers‑in‑law Franklin Barkow, LeRoy Barkow, TJ Tooley, Don Schwenke, and Bill Flauger; and sisters‑in‑law Delores Gasser and Joanne Barkow.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 31st. The family will greet relatives and friends from 9:00–11:00 AM at Beaver American Lutheran Church, N4557 19th Rd., Pound, WI. A church service will follow with Vicar Dan Moschea officiating. Full military honors will be presented afterward. Lunch will be held at Pound Community Center, 1015 County Road Q, Pound, WI from 1:00–4:00 PM. Inurnment will take place at Zion Rest Cemetery in Gresham, WI at a later date. Rhodes‑Charapata Funeral Home of Crivitz is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Crivitz American Legion Netzel-Zenz Post 413 or Beaver American Lutheran Church. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the Bellin and Aurora health systems, as well as Unity Hospice, for their exceptional care and compassion.
