Obituary
Earl Arnold Geske
Earl Arnold Geske passed away at his home in Galesville, WI at the age of 82 on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. He was raised by his loving parents, Walter and Annabelle (Moore) Geske in Onalaska, WI until they moved to the family farm in Galesville, WI when he was in his late teens. Earl graduated in 1961 from the first graduating class of Luther High School, Onalaska, WI. After graduation Earl enlisted in the Wisconsin National Guard. In his early twenties, he moved to Madison, WI and began working at Forest Products Laboratory (US Forest Service, part of the US Department of Agriculture) as a structural engineer where he met the love of his life, Mary (Devitt) Geske and many lifelong friends. Earl and Mary were married on September 19, 1966, and spent 57 wonderful years together. During Earl’s career, he implemented a communication system for the Forest Service in California and Oregon and designed electrical instruments that were used in the analysis of wood products, in which he received 2 patents for his designs. Earl and Mary both retired from Forest Products Lab after 36 years for Mary and 35 years for Earl.
Earl enjoyed golf, sci fi movies, tinkering with anything electronic including Ham and CB radios, with his notorious handle being the “Tasmanian Devil.” He loved traveling across the country in his motorhome and his annual vacation to Door County. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and beloved pets, Sam, Sandy, Scrappy, and Missy.
Earl will be dearly missed by his sibling, Karen Schams, Dave Geske, Rick (Lisa) Geske, and special cousin, Mary Jane Belisle. As well as his sister-in-law’s, Pat Hendrickson, Susan (Jack) Stevens, Ellen (Mark) Heitman, and brother-in-law, Russell (Vicki) Devitt and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary K. Geske, parents, Walter and Annabelle Geske, sister-in-law, Mary E. Geske, nephew, Neil Schams, and niece, Dana Geske.
There will be a Celebration of Life at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason Street in Onalaska, WI on Friday, October 3, 2025, from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm. A private burial will take place at Decorah Prairie Cemetery, Galesville, WI.
We would like to extend a special thank you to the kind and compassionate care given to Earl by the Gundersen Lutheran hospice care team. We welcome you to share any memories of Earl on his tribute page.
I met Mary & Earl because my sister Mary Doran worked with them . I live in California and when I would go back to visit I would see them and Missy as well . When Mary got sick I started texting Earl to find out how she was doing. After she passed we continued texting, Sports, I’m still a Packer fan and Badger fan , and just every day happenings. He had a very keen sense of humor. He will be missed by many . RIP.. Mary and Earl ❤️🙏