Garry Puariea

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Garry E. Puariea, age 86, at Wausau Aspirus Hospital. He was born in Plover, WI, on June 24, 1938, and passed away on January 21, 2025. He was the son of Homer Puariea and Edith Puariea Holstein. He attended Franklin Elementary School and graduated from Wausau East High School in 1956.

He joined the National Guard in 1955. He was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis and after returning home transferred to the Army Reserves where he, as a Major, retired 25 years later.

Garry enjoyed photography and was a photographer and manager of a photo shop for a time in his early career. He began his employment with the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department in 1974. He graduated from the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute in Lexington, Kentucky and after several position changes he became a member of the group that put the 911 emergency phone service into operation. He retired from the department after 19 years of service.

Garry was also a member of the Wausau Elks Lodge #248 for 47 years. He was named ‘Elk of the Year’ in 2008 and after retiring from the Sheriff’s Department, spent many hours doing volunteer work there until his health prevented him from doing it. Garry was an avid Harley rider and enjoyed long trips on his motorcycle.

Garry will be remembered as a hard worker and was well-liked by all that knew him. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by two sisters, Patricia (Robert) Hanlon of Cape Coral, FL and Marilyn Beecher of Scholfield, WI; two nieces, Terri (Dan) Erickson of Hatley, WI and Debra (Matt) Barber of Springboro, Ohio; and one nephew, Mark (Julie) Beecher of Oshkosh, WI. Garry is further survived by five grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Alan and Donald.

A memorial service will be celebrated on February 5, 2025, at Brainard Funeral Home- Everest Chapel, 5712 Memorial Court, Weston, WI 54476, at 12:00 pm. Visitation will be from 10:30 am until the time of services.