Gary L. Onstad

Gary L. Onstad passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the age of 84. Gary was
born on August 31, 1941, in Black River Falls, WI, to Dexter and Ruth Onstad.
Gary enjoyed the outdoors from a young age. Squirrel, rabbit, and deer hunting were some of his favorite
pastimes. He started working at the age of 11 as a dishwasher at his parents’ restaurant, The Wheel Café. As a
teenager, he worked for Tubby Krueger at his filling station pumping fuel, driving tow truck or taxicab, and
demonstrating boats that Tubby sold—often by water skiing behind the boat while Tubby took buyers for a ride.
At 19 years old, Gary attended lineman school at Chippewa Valley Technical College and was hired at Jackson
Electric Cooperative upon completion. Gary had many stories of working on downed power lines in all types of
weather, from terrible windstorms to freezing ice storms. Despite the challenges of the trade, he loved his job,
and through his 42-year career with Jackson Electric, he served as a lineman, a foreman, and ultimately retired
as Superintendent.
Gary married the love of his life, Nancy Mae Balliett, on August 31, 1968—his birthday—at Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Black River Falls. The running joke was that Gary and Nancy married on his birthday so he
would never forget their anniversary. Together they raised two daughters, enjoyed six grandchildren, and
welcomed five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Gary loved watching his grandchildren play
sports and could often be found at the ball diamond, hockey rink, gym, or football field cheering them on.
When not working, Gary enjoyed his many hobbies and interests. He worked cranberry harvest at McKenna
Cranberry Marsh for 21 years post-retirement. He loved to go “cranberrian” as he put it and enjoyed the
camaraderie he had with the guys on the marsh. Fast-pitch softball, bowling league, trapshooting, and fishing
trips to Canada and Lake Winnibigoshish gave him lifelong friendships and endless stories. Hunting was his
passion, and the Crazy 8 Farm in Disco, along with deer drives on the East Side with The Crew, provided years
of adventures—right up to the very end—as Gary proudly participated in one last deer season this year. Gary
and Nancy camped in Hatfield with the same group of friends for 50 years and enjoyed watching each other’s
children and grandchildren grow up through camping. He was particularly proud to be a founding member of
the Jackson County Wildlife Fund and was able to attend the 2025 banquet.
Gary is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy Onstad of Black River Falls; sister, Karen (Ken) Wilkins of Sun
Prairie; daughters, Lara (George) Helbach of Black River Falls and Ann (Brad) Eberhardt of Black River Falls;
grandchildren: Nathan (Chelsea) Stenulson of Black River Falls, Megan Stenulson (Brandyn Stoker) of Black
River Falls, Brandon Stenulson of Eau Claire, Zachary Zillmer of La Crosse, Alli (Nate) Parker of Black River
Falls, and Madison Eberhardt of Black River Falls; step grandchildren: Zachary (Ashley) Helbach of Amherst,
Lindsay (Steve) Maves of Wisconsin Rapids, Alex (Dasha) Helbach of Plover and Olivia Helbach of Seattle,
WA; great-grandchildren: Alaina, Khloe, Evalee, Amelia, and Iyla Stenulson, with two more on the way. Gary
was preceded in death by his parents, Dexter and Ruth Onstad, and siblings Dick, Bill, Marilyn, Rose (Tutti),
Robert, and David.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 12, at 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Black River
Falls. A Celebration of Life will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the Skyline Golf Course Clubhouse in Black River Falls.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Mahan for his years of compassionate care throughout Gary’s health
journey. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation in Gary’s name to the Jackson County Wildlife Fund
(JCWF), P.O. Box 157, Black River Falls, WI 54615.
Torgerson’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.