Gregory N. Gard Sr.

Gregory “Greg” Nicholas Gard, Sr., 80, of Lomira, WI was called home to Heaven on Thursday, March 30, 2023 with family by his side.

Greg was born on November 13, 1942 to his late parents Herbert and Edna (nee Pelzinski) Gard in Mapleton, WI where he resided until his kindergarten year when the family moved to Oconomowoc, WI.  Greg attended his grade school and early high-school years and enjoyed swimming, speed skating, and playing sports with his 12 brothers and sisters. In 1959, Greg was beginning his sophomore year in high-school when his family moved to Granville (known as Brown Deer today) where Greg dominated in track & field and cross-country. Known as “The Granville Greyhound”, Greg won The Brave Land Conference Championships (setting state records), The Mid-West Invitational Championships (setting course records), as well as the WIAA State Championships (setting state records) in 1959 and 1960. Greg broke a 26-year-old state mile course record with a time of 4:25.5 in 1960 and remained undefeated throughout his entire high school career. Greg also helped Granville’s Sprint Medley Relay Team set a state record of 3:41.6 during a meet in Port Washington where he ran the last half-mile in 1:59.6. Greg graduated in 1961 and was inducted into the Brown Deer-Granville High school Hall of Fame in 2014 and the WIAA Hall of Fame in 2016 with records still unbeaten today.

Greg received scholarship offers to multiple colleges for cross-country and decided to stay close to home and attended UW-Madison where he studied art. Greg flourished in painting and drawing and created some of the most beautiful paintings that still hang and highlight walls today. After college, Greg worked as a color technician and specialist for some of the most well know printing companies in Wisconsin and also traveled out of state to help other companies when his expertise was needed.

In 1969, Greg married Mary Jane (nee Green) and helped raise 3 beautiful children. Greg spent his remaining days working hard and spending time with his family. Greg also enjoyed landscaping his yards, hiking and enjoying the outdoors whenever possible, reading, listening to music and watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packer games when he had a chance.

Those Greg leaves behind to cherish his memory include his former wife Mary Jane; three children, Luci (Robert) Groetken, Greg Gard, Jr.. and Linda Gard; seven grandchildren, Ashley (Derek) Grant, Katie (Aaron) Jaeger, Brandon Gard, Becka (William) Raudenbush, Grace Groetken, Halie Culver, and Chloe Groetken; two great-grandchildren, Jack Jaeger and Rory Grant; siblings, Tom (Linda) Gard, Jerome (Kim) Gard, Loret (Mike) Repp,  Claudia (Robert) Mooney, Ted (Glenda) Gard, and Dan (Norah) Gard; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Norbert (Ramona) Gard,  Jane Marie Gard SSND, Clare (Jerry) Matteson, Johannetta (William) Millot, Dennis Gard, and Herbert (Dixie) Gard, Jr.; great-grandson, Dean Grant; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service in honor of Greg will be held on Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral and Cremation Service, 350 Main Street, Lomira, WI 53048.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 5:45 p.m.

Memorials in Greg’s name can be directed toward family and funeral services.

Deep gratitude to Dr. Kumar and all the caregivers at St. Agnes Hospital and Brownsville Clinic, and a special thank-you to all the SSM Health at Home Hospice nurses and CNA’s who were shining lights through this difficult time.

The Myrhum Patten Funeral & Cremation Service have been entrusted with Greg’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.