Gary J. Wiltscheck, age 77, of New Ulm, passed away on Wednesday, January 24, at his home, surrounded by the warmth of his family and caregivers, after bravely battling brain cancer.

A visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30th and 9 -10:30 AM Wednesday at Minnesota Valley Funeral Home, New Ulm North.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31st at St. Mary's Catholic Church, New Ulm. Burial will follow in the Soldiers Rest portion of the New Ulm Cemetery. A celebration of life reception will be held at Turner Hall following the mass and burial.

To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guest book go to www.mvfh.org

Gary is survived by his loving wife Ann Wiltscheck and their children Amy Wiltscheck (Bruce Baumgarten) of Glendale, AZ, and Mickey (Anne) Wiltscheck of Eagan, MN. He was a proud grandfather to his two beloved granddaughters Lily and Claire. Gary is also survived by his mother, Adeline Wiltscheck, brothers Smiley, Randy (Carol), Gene (Kris), Ricky, and sisters Joanne Hacker and Kathy Jackson (Gregg Handley). He is preceded in death by his father Harold Wiltscheck and his brother Robert Wiltscheck.

Gary's journey began at Clear Lake School, a one-room schoolhouse in Sigel Township. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1964, later obtaining an Electrical Engineering degree at the University of Arizona in 1973. After serving four years in the Air Force, including a tour of duty in Vietnam, he was united in marriage to Ann on December 19th, 1969. Gary worked at the Fort St. Vrain Nuclear Power Plant and later as an electrical engineer at 3M in New Ulm. He earned an MBA from Minnesota State in 1990.

A dedicated community member, Gary actively participated in various organizations, including Disabled American Veterans, Sigel Fireflies 4-H Club, Sigel Athletic Association, German Bohemian Heritage Society, Brown County Historical Society, Junior Pioneers of New Ulm, and the Flying Dutchman Motorcycle Club. He was passionate about woodworking, long-distance running, genealogical research, and early Minnesota history, having authored nine books between 1992 and 2022.

Gary's memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew him, and he will be greatly missed by the community he served.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or to one of the local organizations Gary supported.

mvfh.org