Gary Lee Gatzke, Sr. of Traverse City, Michigan passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, June 26, 2018, a home he built for his family in 1979. A craftsman by trade, Gary worked as a finish carpenter working for prominent local construction companies including Webster, Bayshore, and Svec Construction. Born on December 23, 1948 to Chester Cyril Gatzke and Jane Marie (April) Gatzke. Gary grew up in Leelanau County as one of seven brothers and sisters. Gary graduated from Glen Lake Schools in 1966. Shortly thereafter he joined the Vietnam wartime effort as a member of the U.S. Army serving from 1969 to 1971. During his time in the military Gary was married to Gloria Sheffer of Leelanau County. In the mid 1970's Gary married Martha Rose (Overman) Gatzke and together they had three children, Jessica Leigh (Ketola) Gatzke, Gary Lee Gatzke, Jr. and Christopher Lee Gatzke. Sadly in 1994 the family lost their beloved wife and mother Martha to cancer. In 1998 Gary met Teresa Vogel Bennett and after a close 14 year relationship they were wed in May of 2012 in Las Vegas. Gary was a lover of country music, camping, his pets (Brimley (Morkie) and the late Tiki and Niki (Shih Tzus), visits to area casinos, showing his vintage John Deere Lawnmower at the Buckley Old Engine Show, the Detroit Tigers, reading the Record Eagle and spending quality time with family and friends. Though generally a reserved and quiet individual, Gary possessed genuine love for everyone around him and took great joy in life's simple pleasures.

Gary leaves behind his wife, Teresa Gatzke, three grown children; Jessica Leigh (Michael) Ketola, Gary Lee Gatzke, Jr and Christopher Lee Gatzke, siblings, Nancy Purchase (Nancy's daughter, and close niece Carolyn Anderson), Wayne (Ginny) Gatzke, Debra Waffle, Susie (Ross) O'Connor, and Sandra (Bill) Fenton along with several nieces and nephews. As an extension to the Gatzke family Gary leaves behind Teresa's children; Jen (Ben) Lumbrezer, Sarah (Ryan) Grenier, Michael (Kourtney) Bennett.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents Chester Gatzke and Jane Gatzke, brother Steven Gatzke, brother in-law Merle Purchase, wife Martha Rose Gatzke, among others.

A funeral service honoring Gary will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Sunday July 1, 2018 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan, 49864. Paul Vogel will officiate. Gary will be laid to rest in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens on Veterans Drive in Traverse City, Michigan.

Military Honors conducted under the auspices of Cherryland V.F.W. Post 2780 and American Legion Post 35.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Gary Lee Gatzke, Sr. can be made to the Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs, Cherryland Humane Society or the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Gary's family at his Tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.