Gayle Debruyne

Gayle DeBruyne, 84, died peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the Solvay Hospice House, Duluth, Minnesota.

He was born in Superior on August 11, 1927, the son of Henry and Ethel DeBruyne.


Gayle graduated from the former East High School in 1945.

Gayle was proud to have served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

He married the love of his life, Gloria Johnson on September 2, 1950 and they shared sixty-one wonderful years together.

He was part-owner of the family business, Allouez Marine Supply. Gayle retired in 1989 after nearly fifty years in the business and enjoyed twenty-two years of retirement at his home in Lake Nebagamon.

Gayle was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lake Nebagamon.


He loved football, especially the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and cherished their special trips to Alaska and Canada.

Gayle’s other hobbies were wood working, landscaping, a good card game and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Gloria; three daughters, Cheryl Kelly, Superior, Susan DeBruyne, Superior, and Nancy (Robert Sharpe) DeBruyne-Sharpe, Superior; two sons, Philip (Val Stariha) DeBruyne, Superior and Paul (Anne Marie) DeBruyne, Oliver, WI; one granddaughter, Erin McConnell, Duluth, MN and one brother, Henry DeBruyne, Beloit, Wisconsin.

Gayle was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Barbara Evered and Carol Fonger; one brother, Dean DeBruyne and son-in-law, Thomas Kelly.

Gayle will be greatly missed by his wife Gloria and his children.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Essentia Health, third floor east Oncology and to the Solvay Hospice House for their compassionate care of Gayle.

At Gayle’s request a private family service will be held on Saturday with Pastor Darrell Kyle.

Memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 11416 E. 1st St. No., Lake Nebagamon, WI 54849 or Miller Dwan Foundation-Solvay Hospice House, 801 Baylis Street, Duluth, MN 55811.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

To send a condolence or sign the on-line guest book, visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com.