Garry Glover

Garry Glover galloped over the crest of the hill and into the sunset during the early hours of Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at the age of 72. He lived a full and giving life, deeply involved in family and community. Garry was born on October 25, 1941 in Rio and grew up in the town of Buffalo, Marquette County where he hunted, fished and explored the Grand River Marsh as a boy. He returned to live on its edge and establish Tripolgy Morgan Farm where he raised award winning Morgan horses while operating G. G. Glover and Associates construction firm out of Montello. Garry was a 1959 graduate of Montello High School; shortly after he married Donna Freitag and they had a daughter, Lauri. Garry worked with his father in the family construction business and before moving to Colorado he married Jan Hubatch with whom he raised three children: Jackie, Gregg and Teri. In 1986, he moved back to Wisconsin and incorporated the successful G. G. Glover and Associates with headquarters in Montello and reignited his high school romance with Donna Freitag Gatzke, who has been his lifelong partner ever since. Garry's children have been lovingly sharing their father's last weeks during a courageous struggle with cancer. He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren.

Garry's Tripolgy Morgan Farm sat in a cradle of pine and oak forest within the settling grounds of his ancestors that go back six generations beginning with Justin Glover who first built a lime kiln at Liberty Bluff in Marquette County. His respect for his ancestors and for history sparked his commitment to preserving historic buildings in Montello. He bought and restored the Montello Bank building along with the adjacent building, using part of it for his company offices. The corner brick building is now a landmark in Montello's downtown.

He is one of the founding members of the Montello Historic Preservation Society and the key person in preserving and restoring J. P. Vaughn Hall, the 1912 blacksmith shop and community hall. Last year, the Board of Directors of the Montello Historic Preservation Society named the upper level of Vaughn Hall, the Garry Glover Community Hall in honor of all that Garry did to preserve Montello's history.

When Garry moved back to Wisconsin, he began to show and raise Morgan horses that, over the years, won numerous championships. He and his horses were regulars at National Morgan shows and he took great pleasure in his horses. He once said, "It's hard to describe the pleasure Morgans give you. They've got spirit and whether it's when you see them strut themselves in the ring or whether it's when you're out pleasure riding, they're just special horses. Our glory is not in the ribbons, it's in the horses." Garry is survived by loving family members: Donna Gatzke; son, Gregg (Jessica) Glover of Tampa, FL; daughters: Jacqueline (Paul) Helgeson of Severance, CO, Terese (Brad) Allison of Okinawa, Japan and Lauri Hicks of Fond du Lac as well as nine grandchildren: Spenser (Callie), McKenzie, Saronda, Justin, Jack, Joshua, Rachel, Micaela and Jackson. He is also survived by three sisters: Sharon (Les) Simonson, Roxanne (Steve) Buchanan and Maureen Preuss as well as Donna's sons: Greg (Toni Ann) Gatzke of Pleasanton, CA and Eric (Mary Jo) Gatzke of Waunakee as well as nieces, nephews, and other friends and relatives.

Garry is preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Harriette Glover, one brother, Gerard (Sandra) as well as two sisters: Carol Frazer and Mary Colleen Schueler. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Garry on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Home in Montello and again on Saturday at the church from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. Father David Carrano will preside and burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery, town of Buffalo, Marquette County. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Montello Historical Preservation Society-Elevator Fund, P.O. Box 473, Montello, WI 53949. Garry Glover did not trot or walk his horse through life. He was a rider who took chances, indulged in life's pleasures and worked hard to be able to enjoy it fully. His horse sprinted to the finish line in full glory, mane waving and legs outstretched, happy to have been a part of one damn good race.

Crawford Funeral and Cremation Service of Montello and Oxford is honored to be serving the family. www.CrawfordFH.com

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Previous Events

Visitation
Friday, May 23, 2014
Visitation
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, May 24, 2014

Memorial Contribution