Cover photo for Dean R.  Gatz's Obituary
Dean R.  Gatz Profile Photo
1952 Dean 2011

Dean R. Gatz

February 11, 1952 — January 25, 2011

Gatz, Dean R.

Dean Robert Gatz, age 58, passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2011. He was born in Wausau on February 11, 1952, the son of Meta “Mickey” (Jensema) and the late Stanley Gatz. Dean graduated from Memorial High School in Madison and then graduated from Madison Area Technical College with a degree in printing and publication as well as graphic design. He worked as a graphic designer for 25 years at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. On October 3, 1987, Dean married his loving wife, Ann Gosz at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Appleton. Dean had a very creative mind with an artistic ability and more recently he loved to create folk art. He was known for his off-beat sense of humor. Dean was very proud that in his late teens, he and two friends biked over 2, 100 miles from Madison to Alberta, Canada. In Dean's final year he had a deepening sense of the blessings in his life, rekindled friendships and an appreciation for the relationships he had with both family and friends.

Dean is survived by his loving wife, Ann Gatz of Appleton; brothers: Tom Gatz of Birnamwood, Jim Gatz of Eau Claire, David (Diane Williams) Gatz of Gurnee, Il; sisters: Pat (Gary) Menard of Eau Claire, Jeanne Gatz of Eau Claire; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and one aunt. He is preceded in death by several aunts and uncles.

A Memorial Service for Dean will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at the Wichmann Funeral Home. Friends will be received at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Dean's family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Fredric Hildebrand Jr., Dr. Teresa Lee, Affinity Hospice, Preferred Home Health, Thedacare at Home Hospice, especially Leslie, Terri and Chaplain Jordan, Thedacare Hospice Residence and friends and co-workers of Ann for all their love, care and support for Dean and his family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Dean's name.

Dean, I love you more than all the buttons in the sky…

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 739-1231

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dean R. Gatz, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, January 29, 2022

10:00am - 12:00 pm

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Service

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Starts at 12:00 pm

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