Gordon G. Deeren
Gordon George Deeren, 101, of Galesville, died Friday, January 24, 2025, at Marinuka Manor.
Gordon was born December 14, 1923, to George and Florence (Johnson) Deeren of Galesville. He graduated from Galesville High School in 1942. Gordon joined the U.S. Navy on June 7, 1943, and served as an aviation ordinance man and nose gunner bombardier on a PBY (Catalina Flying Boat) for “Black Cat” Squadron VPB 71 in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Gordon received several medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with two stars in lieu of #2 & #3 medals, American Area Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star, and the Victory Ribbon. Gordon was very proud of his service record.
In November 1945, after the war, Gordon returned home to help on the Deeren family farm. On November 15, 1946, he married Alvina Berg, at First Lutheran Church of Blair. Together they raised their family and worked hard to make the Deeren farm what it is today. Over the years, Gordon went from milking cows, to raising turkeys, raising beef cattle, to cash crop farming. He also did many years of custom combining for other farmers in the community. Gordon was well known for his outstanding corn and soybean fields. He was an honest man, willing to share his extensive knowledge of farming with others, and always ready to have a good time and tell a few jokes.
While farming, Gordon also worked for Northern Engraving Corporation from 1948 to the late 1960s. Over the years, Gordon had served on the Wisconsin Soybean Association, Federal Land Bank Association, and the Bank of Galesville Board. He has been a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church of Galesville.
Gordon and Alvina enjoyed vacations from farming by traveling to many places around the U.S. and other countries during their 72 years of marriage, starting in 1946, with a honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls, NY, in which they drove halfway home without brakes.
In Gordon’s later years, he enjoyed going to the round table in Ettrick almost every morning for coffee and to catch up on all the community news.
Gordon is survived by his four children, (sons): Gary Deeren of Iola, TX, Daniel (Susan) Deeren of Rio, WI, Rick Deeren of Galesville,WI; and daughter, Pamela Remus of Holmen, WI; 12 grandchildren: Tracy (Ben) Crenshaw, Brent (Mary) Deeren, Jody (Cody) Clemens, all of Iola, TX, Brad (Jennifer) Deeren of Clayton, NC, Kevin (Julie) Deeren of Eustis, FL, Kurt Deeren of DeForest, WI, Kraig (Carolyn) Deeren of Lodi,WI. Joseph Remus, and Michael (Kirby) Remus of Holmen, WI and Jerred Remus of West Salem, WI, Beth (Nathan) Rumppe of Whitehall, WI and Maria Deeren of Indiana; and 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. Gordon is further survived by Alvina’s sister, Olida Brown of Lake Forest, CA; and Alvina’s brother, Otto (Charline) Berg of Yorba Linda, CA; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends and neighbors.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Alvina (Nov. 2018),; his parents; one son, Curt (who died at birth); his only sibling, Cleone Henry, and her husband Dr Robert Henry; daughter-in-law, Annette (Chris) Deeren; sisters-in-law, and their husbands: Elsie & Phillip Hanevold, Elaine & Richard Wegner, Janice & Wayne Wandry, Jeanette & Charles Horvath; and many cousins.
Gordon’s family would like to thank the staff at Marinuka Manor for their loving care.
A funeral service with military honors will be held Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Zion Lutheran Church, 20335 W. Gale Ave., Galesville. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials be given to Marinuka Manor or Zion Lutheran Church.
