Gary Lee Wisted

NOTICE OF CHANGE: The Celebration of Life will be held at the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior, on Saturday, May 14, 2016  from 4:00 – 6:00PM.

Gary Lee Wisted, 57, Poplar, WI resident, died Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at his home following a courageous battle with COPD. He was born on June 4, 1958 in San Pedro, CA to David and Joyce (Thomsen) Wisted.

Gary was a big kid at heart. Always fun to be around. He had a passion for cars… fast cars. And always enjoyed working on them and making them shine. At the age of 15 in his mother’s garage, he started painting his own cars with dreams of owning his own repair shop some day. He was even doing repairs on classmates and teachers vehicles later on throughout his high school years.

After high school he worked as a cement mason for many years at J.R. Jenson. He loved this work as well but would always have a project car in the garage that he would work on at night. His dream came true in 1985 with the beginning of Poplar Auto Refinishing in a four stall garage at his home. Thirteen years later he proudly designed and contracted a much needed larger facility at a different location. He loved that new building and the crew of dedicated workers that stood behind him. Not many people can say they reached their goals at a young age, but Gary definitely did. He knew his calling in this world.

He passed the love of cars onto his two sons, which he was also so very proud of. Gary retired in 2008 due to health conditions. Josh and David took over the business, and both are hard dedicated workers just like their dad. He was a great example to all of us. His love for his mother, sisters and brother was never ending. He loved family get togethers, and his all too famous firework displays at the lake property in Barnes.

He was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone, day or night. He had a special bond with his sister Kristie. They were always there for each other, good times and bad. His family was extremely important to him, and he truly cherished those memories with his family and grandchildren.

We want to thank the hospice staff at Essentia Health, for their kind, caring and special treatment during his illness.

Gary is survived by his mother, Joyce Thomsen, Poplar, WI; his father, David (Beth) Wisted, San Pedro, CA; wife, Peggy, Poplar, WI; son, Josh (Brittney) Wisted, Poplar, WI and their children, Matthew, Naomi and Abigail, son, David (Angela) Wisted, Poplar, WI and their son, Isaiah; sisters, Kristie (Rodney) McCuskey, Barb (Gina) Wisted; brother, Pete (Jody) Thomsen; nieces and nephew, Emily, Lauren and Zach, Hutto, TX and many other aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his nephew, Alex Hart and father-in-law Gilbert Gille.

A Time of Remembrance and Celebration of Life will be held from 4:00 – 6:00PM on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Downs-LeSage Funeral Home,
1304 Hammond avenue, in Superior.

To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com .