Gary L. Bell

Gary L. Bell 79, of Gays Mills, passed away peacefully from complications of COPD on May 4, 2020, at Vernon Memorial Hospital in Viroqua. Gary was born in Steuben, Wisconsin to Lynn, Sr. and Mae (Whiteaker) Bell on August 21, 1940. He attended Gays Mills High School where he played baseball and excelled at band. He graduated in 1958. After graduating from Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, he married Phyllis (Connely) on October 17, 1964, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Boscobel. Gary farmed his family’s “Home Farm” before buying his own farm on Bell Ridge in 1969. Dairy farming was Gary’s calling in life, and worked the land side by side with his brothers Darrel and Lynn, Jr. Gary and Phyllis raised their three children on Bell Ridge and thoroughly enjoyed their life there for three decades. After buying their home in Gays Mills, Gary worked in semi-retirement at Lowe Manufacturing in Readstown, Radio Shack in Viroqua, and BAPI in Gays Mills. Gary believed strongly in giving back to the community, and was generous with his time, talent, and energy. He served for many years on the Bell Center and Gays Mills village boards. He was a member of the GC Farmers’ Coop board, including 20 years as president. As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Gary served leadership roles on numerous parish councils, spearheaded the Mother’s Day breakfast for many years, and was a popular lector. Gary was also an active member of the Gays Mills Lions Club. In 2009, Gary and Phyllis were honored to be named Gays Mills Apple Festival Apple Ambassadors. Gary loved life and people. He especially enjoyed playing golf, softball, bowling, cards, and following the Brewers, Badgers, and Packers. Gary and Phyllis made happy memories traveling with family and friends. Gary’s favorite destinations were Mazatlan, Mexico and Canada. Above all else, family was Gary’s greatest source of happiness, and he relished each annual Bell reunion in particular. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law Robert, Sr. and Alice (Welsh) Connely; grandson Nathan Gunderson; brothers Stuart (& wife Margaret) Bell, Darrell (& wife Iliff) Bell, William (& wife Helen) Bell, Lynn Jr. (& wife Charlotte) Bell, Robert (& wife Margaret) Bell; sisters Bonnie (& husband Leo) Halverson, Avalon (& husband John) Paulson, Shirley George; and brothers-in-law Burlie Moore, Elling Mikkelson, Robert Connely, Jr., and Michael Brindley. Gary is survived by his wife of 55 years Phyllis; son Terry Bell; daughters Christine (& Brent) Williams, Brenda Bell Johnson; grandchildren Brandon (& Brittany) Williams, Kayla (& Landon) Wubbels, and Griffin Gunderson; great-grandchildren, Thea, Nathaniel, Nolan, Remington, and Roseline; brother Dick (& Betty) Bell; sisters Joyce Moore, Nancy Mikkelson, Linda (& Rodney) Burkum; sisters-in-law Lorraine Brindley and Sharon Connely. Also many beloved nieces and nephews too numerous to mention. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic church, Macintosh Memorial Library’s Team Nathan Teen Area in Viroqua, Wheel of Todd, or Ocooch Mountain Rescue Squad. Gary’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Deborah Prior of Viroqua for her many years of conscientious care and abiding friendship. Emily Swiggum, Paul Kinserdahl and the Ocooch Mountain Rescue Squad, Dr. Joann Fouts and the nursing staff at Vernon Memorial Hospital, and many special friends. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 115 School Street in Gays Mills. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 28 at Vosseteig Funeral Home, 325 Sunset Ridge Ave in Gays Mills. Additional visitation will be held Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass at church. Gary will be laid to rest at the Gays Mills Cemetery. Vosseteig Funeral Home in Gays Mills is serving the family. 325 Sunset Ridge Ave Gays Mills, WI 54631 608-735-2100