Gordon Lee Reberry

Gordon Lee Reberry, age 74, passed away peacefully on Thursday June 18, 2026 at Gundersen/Emplify Medical Center with his loving wife by his side. He was known for his love for God, his contagious smile, music, and his compassion for those in need.

Gordon’s faith was the foundation of his life, and his family find comfort in knowing he is now in the presence of the Savior whom he loved so very much.

Gordon was born on February 1,1952 in Fort Madison, IA. He was the third, last, and according to him, best son of Paul and Alice Reberry. While growing up Gordon moved many times with his family as both his parents were teachers, and his father was also a coach, and an in demand Fast Pitch Softball player for various state teams in IA. Gordon was proud of his dad getting into the IA Softball Hall of fame.

Gordon had many fond memories of all the small towns they lived in while growing up, and all the trips they took to Idaho to visit family. The last town he lived in with his parents was while he was in high school in Altoona, IA. He especially liked to roam the halls and when stopped by hall monitors, he would tell them he was going to see his dad- the principal.

Gordon graduated from S.E. Polk High School in 1970 and joined the Air Force in January 1971. He was in the Air Force from 1971-1977 as an airplane mechanic. After basic training and then Aircraft Maintenance training in TX he spent time in many memorable places: New Jersey, California, Republic of Philippines, Okinawa, Thailand, and Michigan. Most memorable to him was going with the flight that went to Hanoi, North Vietnam to pick up POWs. He was honorably discharged in 1977.

In the years following Gordon lived in Sioux Ste. Marie, MI where he was married and had 2 sons. Unfortunately, that marriage ended. Following this Gordon went to Tarrant Co. Junior College in Fort Worth, TX to earn his Airline & Power Plant License for aircraft maintenance. He then worked for Airlift International Airlines out of Miami, FL. He had many happy memories during his time with them.

Gordon then went to work for Northwest Airlines in St. Paul, MN for 19 years. It was here that he met Debra Kerrigan. They were married on September 6, 1997. Soon after that Gordon started having health problems, but continued working for Northwest until 2005 when the mechanics chose to strike. At this time Gordon and Debbie made the decision for Gordon to quit and to move to the La Crosse, WI area where Debbie could transfer in her job and the Bluffs were as close to the mountains as they could get.

Shortly after moving they found First Free Church of Onalaska, which has since been their home church. While at First Free Church Gordon began volunteering at the Food Pantry, and before long, because of his love for Jesus, he was running the Food Pantry. This meant he was shopping, stocking shelves, finding more resources, getting a prayer ministry started, so much that some started to think he was a church employee.

Unfortunately, Gordon’s health continued to deteriorate so he retired from the Pantry. Through it all, he continued to love our First Free pastors and church family, but most meaningful to him was his love for Jesus. This love enabled him to always have a smile on his face because no matter what happened to his physical body, he knew where he would go at the end.

Gordon is survived by his wife of 28 years, Debra Reberry, sons Joshua (Latasha) Norman of Virgina and Zachary (Megan) Norman of Michigan; four grandchildren; brother Michael (Linda) Reberry; nephews Jon (Liz) Reberry and Sean Reberry; nieces Heather (Andrew) Johnson and Megan Reberry; many other nieces, nephews; great nephews and great nieces.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, his brother Thomas Reberry and many more aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 23rd at Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 907 Sand Lake Road, Onalaska. Funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24th at First Free Church, 123 Mason Street, Onalaska with a visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of services.

Memorial donations may be made to W.I.N.N. (What I Need Now) to help those in need in our community. This was close to Gordon’s heart.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and their gratefulness for all the medical care given by the V.A. for the last ten plus years; to his many caregivers from the last few years; and to the staff at Gundersen/Emplify Medical Center for the awesome care they gave Gordon during his final days.