Gary A. Nothem

Gary A. Nothem, age 72, passed away at his home on the afternoon of Saturday, June 29. 

He was born on Oct. 5, 1951, and raised in Fredonia by the late Jerome and Bernice (Bares) Nothem.

Gary attended Ozaukee High School, and it’s there he was given the nickname of Nergi, which followed him throughout the rest of his life. 

Survivors include his wife Kay of Waldo; two children, Cheryl (Dan) Ross of Port Washington and Kelly (Arthur) Gnodtke of Belgium; grandchildren Marcus Ross, Katie Gnodtke (fiance Patrick Kroening) and Blake Gnodtke; his only surviving uncle, Harold (Arlene) Nothem; his siblings Dennis (Carol) Nothem of West Bend, Maryann Nothem of Sun Prairie, Randall (Lisa) Nothem of West Bend and Thomas (Kim) Nothem of Campbellsport; brothers and sisters-in-law James (Kathy) Konen of Casper, Wyo., Patricia Konen, Bev Kelling, Peter (Cherie) Konen, John Konen and Karen Stark, all of Plymouth; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his nephew Eric Nothem (eldest son of Randall and Lisa), his brother-in-law Arthur Kelling, his niece Valerie Kelling and his father and mother-in-law David and Cora Konen. 

In 1969, at age 18, he started working at Kiekhaefer (Cedarburg), transferring to Mercury Marine (Fond du Lac) when the company relocated. Gary was proud of the company, their product and the work he did for them. During a marketing campaign regarding quality, he was quoted and used in a poster ad saying, “If we don’t make engines right, we’re not going to be making engines long.” After 44 years of dedicated employment, he retired at age 62 in 2013. 

In 1985, he met the love of his life, Kay Konen. They married in 1990 and made their home in Waldo. His two girls quickly became her girls too. As the years went on, they grew their family, adding some dogs along the way. He loved his “Schmoop” and his girls. They were, and always will be, his pride and joy. 

If you were lucky enough to know Gary (Nergi), you knew he was a sports fan and an avid outdoorsman. He loved watching the Packers and the Brewers and he enjoyed all aspects of both fishing and hunting. What made these even more special was enjoying them with family and friends. A summer highlight was going to a Brewers game and playing cribbage with his daughter Cheryl and her family. The hunting season was made special by seeing his youngest daughter Kelly and her family enjoying it too. 

Gary initiated so many things that turned into annual events, like wild game feeds and chili cookoffs. Though there are too many to list, here are some of the favorites:

The weekly “Woods and Waters” gathering that took place in his garage on Sundays. Good friends came up to watch fishing shows, and only after the shows did they talk. 

The spring turkey hunt contest he ran in which prizes were given for a variety of things like beard length, both heaviest and lightest weight, which allowed a chance for everyone to win.   

The Lake Nocquebay fishing trip in late May to early June with lifelong friends and family. 

The Nothem fish camp weekend, in its 29th year, started off being just “the boys” (his brothers and their sons) and eventually included everyone in the family. It’s one family gathering everyone looks forward to.

Another annual event took place during gun-deer season, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It was known to many as “Story Night.” There was food, family and friends. Everyone was asked to share their stories. Now it’s time to share his and carry on.

A celebration of life will be held on Oct. 5, 2024, at the Random Lake Rod and Gun Club. Please watch for further details closer to the date.

As an expression of sympathy, contributions can be donated to a memorial fund established in Gary’s name for each of his favorite organizations.

Suchon Funeral Home is assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit

www.suchonfh.com.