Obituary
Gerald (Gary) L. Evers
Gerald (Gary) L. Evers, aka Beater, 70, of Westby, died peacefully on Sunday April 30, 2023 with family by his side. He was born on April 4, 1953 in Appleton, WI, to Henry and Adriana (Bolwerk) Evers.
He grew up in Combined Locks, graduated from Kimberly High School and attended Milwaukee Tech College where he studied photography. Soon after graduation he became involved with the Himalayan Institute in Illinois where he met Sue Hoffman through her brother Kevin. Six months later they were married on December 10, 1977, and relocated when the Institute moved to Pennsylvania. Before starting their family, they returned to Wisconsin, settled in La Crosse and loved raising two children. He worked various positions at Inland Printing until a car accident ended his career in 2012.
He was a Jack of all trades and master of most. He enjoyed photography, fine woodworking, and many home projects. There wasn’t anything that Gary couldn’t and wouldn’t do. He was very inventive. He especially enjoyed gardening, which led to a move into a 1904 farmhouse on seven acres, in the Town of Coon, in 1996. Working with the land was truly a passion of his. He transformed the property into an incredible green oasis which included evergreen and nut trees, prairies, ponds, orchards, vegetable and flower gardens and a venue for many family reunions. Music was his passion, developing many close relationships through his music, particularly Old Time. Gary was never able to play his guitar, fiddle or mandolin again after the accident, but it never kept his incredible music friends from keeping live music a part of his life until the end.
He is survived by his mother Adriana Evers, wife, Sue, 2 children: Benjamin (Lanaya) Evers and Neshay Evers, 3 grandchildren; Peyton Peterson, Vaughn Evers and Zoe Zelesnikar. He is also survived by brothers and sisters; Pat (Don) Arnold, Bob (Ann) Evers, Steve (Al Dahmen) Evers, (Vicky) Evers, Paul (Tina) Evers, and Mary Kay (Brent) Braun, brothers-in-law; Kevin Hoffman and Scott (Kathie) Hoffman. He was preceded in death by his father Henry Evers, brother Greg Evers, mother and father-in-law Robert and Lorraine Hoffman, and sister-in-law (Wendy) Hoffman.
He enjoyed life passionately and his spirit lives on through his plantings, photography, creations and many friendships he developed over his lifetime. Living in his home until the end was only possible with the help of so many friends, family, caregivers, and his special caregiver Courtney. We send our love and many thanks to all of you.
A gathering to share good memories of Gary will be held Friday May 12th at the Coon Valley
Legion Hall, located at 105 Park Street, Coon Valley, WI 54623 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
Beater was the sweetest of souls and will be missed by all who knew him. May his spirit endure in us.
You were an amazing grandpa and I will miss you every day. My condolences to the rat of the family and friends.
Sue, I’m so sorry for your loss. You loved that man so much. This is going to be a hard transition, but God is holding you.
Stefanie Schroder
Wish I could be there with you all during this time. I’ll be thinking of Gary, Sue, family and friends during this time, and send all my love from the Emerald Isle. – Lee Worrell
Sue, Ben, Neshay, all the family..So very sorry for your loss. Prayers for healing for all of you.
Sue and family
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May the memories of Gary keep you strong.
Roland, Paulene and Thea Aspenson
It’s been an honor to know Gary, now in memory, and I have to say, Sue, the model of an angel, are the feelings in my heart.
May there be an understood peace for all of Gary’s family.
Joan Redig
Sue and family
Sorry for your loss. Always enjoyed seeing Gary’s smiling face when he was up North by your Mom and Dad’s.
Sue, so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and family.?
Sue, Ben & Neshay… So sorry for your loss and you are in my thoughts and prayers each day… RIP Gary!
I came to know Gary through the Coon Valley Lions. He was a great guy, a true asset to his community and a man of many talents. My condolences to Sue and other family members.
I’m so sorry to miss this and will be thinking of you all and sending my love from the Mississippi River.
Gary’s sweet smile, quiet kindness, and lovely guitar playing continue in our memories. Wishing you comfort and peace now and in the future.
All the best,
Dot and Chirps