Gary Avise

March 18, 1940 - Nov. 21, 2023
Gary Avise, age 83, of Wentworth, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Howard.
A memorial service for Gary was on Thursday, Dec. 7 at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Gary was born on March 18, 1940 in Benkelman, Nebraska. He spent several years in Imperial and Champion. He lived with his Grandpa Gibb part of the years and his Avise family. As a young man he lived in Salina, Kansas where he married his first wife, Rita Fry and became a teenaged father to Jerry, Mark and DeeAnn. He held various jobs but landed as a car mechanic at Long McArther and Volkswagen dealerships. He loved going to the Salina Speedway on Saturday nights to race his racecar. He subsequently moved to Southern California where he met his second wife, Dona (Dotson) Brenna, while working as the service manager at a Volkswagen dealership. They were married in March 1974. He continued his love of cars and racing over the years by building and racing kit cars.
Gary and Dona moved to Madison, South Dakota in 1989. Gary was a true entrepreseur. He started several businesses in Madison over the years including a rental company, a small engine repair and convenience store company and a locksmith business. Many people had come to know him when he arrived to unlock their cars or homes, sometimes late at night and in inclement weather. Gary had also been the president of Lake Madison Sanitary District for a number of years. He enjoyed visiting Gary’s Bakery for his early monring roll and conversation. He had a gift for remembering and retelling stories that others had long forgotten. Gary also enjoyed duck and deer hunting accompanied by his favorite dog Goldie.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle; his mother, Lois; and his wife, Dona, of 49 years who just recently passed away in May 2023.
He is survived by his two sons Jerry Avise and Mark Avise; his daughter DeeAnn Ludden; stepdaughters Debbie Slyngstad and Michelle Gonzalez; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Gary chose cremation and will come home to Imperial for inurnment.