Gaylord “Red” Wisbrocker, Waupaca, WI, age 85, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at his home in the Town of Dayton, WI.
Red was born August 8, 1928 in Milwaukee, WI, son of Ernest and Monnie (McCauley) Wisbrocker. He graduated from Custer High School in 1946 where he played the drum in the marching band. Following high school, he also played drums in a band called the “Melody Boys” that he formed with three of his close friends. Red married Gloria Stieler on October 29, 1949 in Milwaukee and the “Melody Boys” played at their wedding. He started raising homing pigeons while in high school and had a successful hobby of racing them for many years. Red worked as a finish carpenter and crew foreman for several different employers throughout his career in the Milwaukee area. His finishing expertise was specifically requested on many jobs. After retiring in 1991, Red and Gloria moved to the Waupaca area where he enjoyed working in his garden, as well as hunting and fishing. He also spent countless hours in his woodworking shop designing and building everything from furniture to birdhouses. Red even milled his own wood and dried it in the kiln he built himself. He and Gloria spent winters in Arizona for many years where they enjoyed golfing together and with their many friends. Gloria was the first to make a hole-in-one (her only one), but Red took the competition to heart and followed up with three of his own. He will be deeply missed by all of his loving family and many friends.
Red is survived by: his loving wife, Gloria Wisbrocker of Waupaca, WI; son, Gary (LeAnn) Wisbrocker of Waupaca, WI; stepbrother, Ken (Rita) Freiesleben of East Troy, WI; stepsister: AnnaMae (Russ) Boothroyd of West Bend, WI; nephews: Bruce (Susan) Unger of Brookfield, WI; Mark (Debbie) Unger of Oostburg, WI; Tom (Anne Martino) Freiesleben of Brookfield, WI; niece, Lynn (David) O’Brien of Zionsville, IN. Also survived by many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Wisbrocker; his mother, Monnie (Wisbrocker) Freiesleben; a son, Robert Wisbrocker; a brother, Garry “Pete” Wisbrocker; and his stepfather, Arthur Freiesleben.
A Funeral Service was held on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca, WI with Pastor Jeffrey Fletcher officiating. A visitation was held on Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at the Holly Funeral Home. Burial was at Crystal Lake Cemetery in the Town of Dayton following the service on Wednesday. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.