Gordon Nepstad, 91, passed away peacefully during the evening of May 6, 2025, at Springbrook Assisted Living in Onalaska, Wis.
Gordon was born on January 25, 1934 in Whalan, Minn., to parents Gust and Lillie (Odneson) Nepstad. He had an older brother, Archie, and a younger brother, Dennis. Their father Gust passed away when the boys were very young, and in time Lillie married Leo Shay of Whalan.
Gordon attended public school in Whalan and nearby Lanesboro, graduating from Lanesboro High School in 1953. The following year he was serving in the United States Army, spending time in South Korea. He returned to the United States in 1956, and soon met his future wife, Juliann Guenther of Rochester, Minn. Gordon and Juliann were married on December 28, 1957, and together they would have five children: Ann (Randy), Gregory (Virginia), James (Deborah), Jeffrey (Lori), and Nancy (David).
Gordon and Juliann both had a great love of the outdoors, and their children are all grateful for childhoods filled with adventures camping on the Mississippi River, and in campgrounds and parks across the country. Gordon was an avid water skier, and later in life became a golf enthusiast. He also enjoyed working on cars and just about anything else mechanical. The family resided in La Crosse, Holmen, Onalaska, and Mindoro, Wis., before Gordon and Juliann settled in Trempealeau, Wis., in 1989, where Gordon resided until 2023.
He lost his wife Juliann to cancer in 1992. A few years later, Gordon would meet his special friend of 27 and a half years, Ruthie Marsalek of Independence, Wis. Gordon and Ruthie were avid polka dancers, and together they graced ballrooms and dance floors across Wisconsin and Minnesota.
He was preceded in death by his cherished grandmother, Isabelle (Egge) Odneson, who Gordon often referred to as his hero; his parents, his brother Archie Nepstad, a nephew, Ron; and his wife Juliann.
Survivors include his brother Dennis (Nona) Nepstad, his five children, eight grandchildren: Jennifer, Laura, Danielle, Brody, Mica, Shawna, Trisha and Kylie; a niece, Renee; and four nephews: Mike, Steve, Dan and Matt; and his special friend Ruthie.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family is respectfully requesting that donations be sent to the Employee Appreciation Fund at Springbrook Assisted Living, 861 Critter Court, Onalaska, WI 54650. Gordon loved and appreciated all the dedicated and truly caring employees there.