Gordon F. Wedel

     Gordon Wedel has "slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings", October 30th, 2022, on a peaceful Sunday afternoon overlooking his dock, the waters of Washington Harbor, and the ever present birds he loves and Margot by his side. He was born and raised in Baraboo Wisconsin, June 28th, 1934, to the parents Dorothy Ellen Stortz and Frank Edward Wedel. Gordon attended the local Lutheran school and graduated from Baraboo High School and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Business from University of North Dakota.

     Gordon's career was primarily spent with the Muscular Dystrophy Association where he was a Regional Director. December of 1983 he married the love of his life, Margot (Murray) Masek. He retired with Margot to Washington Island, where they owned the local Cherry Train, giving tours for the next 10 years.

     His greatest joy in life was summer days on the waters of Lake Michigan and Devil's Lake where he spent hours water skiing and sailing with friends. Summers were for boat trips exploring all of the islands surrounding Washington Island. He loved exploring the shores of Plum Island and time spent with family on annual trips to one of their favorite spots, Rock Island. Nights at Rock you would find him sitting by the Boathouse to catch the last rays of the setting sun.

     Winters were spent on the slopes of Porcupine Mountain where he was affectionately known as "the man with the yellow hat." He taught four generations the joys of skiing while always in search of the perfect run with freshly groomed snow. He taught us the joy of cooking over the open fire and counting the number of runs.

     On fall weekends he wore Red for Badgers and Green and Gold for the Packers. Each fall Sunday for 34 years was spent with his beloved Island Packer group sometimes cheering and sometimes shouting.

     We will remember him when the fall colors shine or the November gale winds blow, when we ski those perfect runs on E2/E3 we will feel him with us. We will feel his presence in the quietness of the sunsets, and the songs of Gordon Lightfoot. And when we cook  over a wood fire we will hear his words "everything tastes better over wood".

     Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; his brother-in-law, Richard Parsons; his son, Rod; and grandsons, Zack Masek and Jack Boyle. He will be missed by Margot, his wife of 42 years; his sister, Dar Parsons; and brothers, Bill Wedel and Jim (Sue) Wedel; children, Terry (John) Seidl, Shelly (Gene) Bowerman, Kim (Tim) Knaup, Andy (Amy) Masek, Laurel (Jeff) Hunter and Kevin (Trish) Masek; 17 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He will be dearly missed by family and friends near and far.

     In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to FORI (Friends of Rock Island) https://fori.squarespace.com/

     A private Celebration of Life will take place in the spring.

     We would like to thank the Unity hospice care team that helped him through the last months and the team at Door County Memorial Hospital. But most of all we  would like to thank Margot, for tirelessly walking by his side and caring for his every need.

     Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Sister Bay is assisting the Wedel family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Gordon may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.caspersonfuneralhome.com.

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