Gordon Jacob Metz, 83, of Onalaska, WI  (formerly of Garrison, ND), passed away peacefully on December 11, 2022 at his daughter’s home in Onalaska after a battle with kidney cancer that had spread to his lungs.

Gordon was born in Underwood, ND on June 15, 1939 to Otto and Lydia (Wessner) Metz.  Gordon attended high school in Garrison, ND until he joined the Army where he was active duty for 6 months. He then continued in the Army reserves for several years before he was honorably discharged.

Gordon married Sandra (Lynnes) Metz on January 10, 1976. They had two daughters, Leah and Jaclyn, and made their home in Garrison, ND.  Some of Gordon’s happiest times were his years in Garrison where he and Sandra raised their daughters. Gordon valued education and was always a little regretful that he hadn’t gone on to higher education himself. He made sure to support his daughters in their educations and doled out money for all sorts of activities, including many a piano lesson! He and his family attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison, ND, where they enjoyed being active members for several years.

During the family’s years in Garrison, Gordon was employed at Falkirk Mine where he used his skills as a heavy machine operator. He was proud to be a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and he worked through the union for several contractors before and after his time at Falkirk.

After retirement, Gordon and Sandra moved to Mesquite, NV to enjoy some retirement time in the sun. When the grandkids started coming, they moved back up to La Crosse/Onalaska, WI to be closer to their daughters and their families.  Gordon and Sandra kept themselves busy with family and with their life-long love of a good dance party. They could be seen at area dances waltzing and doing the polka.   Gordon played the accordion himself (by ear!) and enjoyed entertaining others with his music.

Gordon’s later years brought some sadness as his wife, Sandra, was diagnosed with dementia.  Gordon felt some peace that she was and is being well taken care of in a long-term care facility.

Family, friends and especially his two daughters will remember Gordon as a kind, humble and gentle man with a good sense of humor.  He was a hard worker,  but most importantly, a loving father and grandfather who will be greatly missed. We are sad but we know we’ll see him again in that “sweet bye and bye.”

Gordon is survived by his wife, Sandra Metz of Valley View Health Care and Rehab in Houston, MN; daughters, Leah (Chad Hilton) Metz of Onalaska, WI; Jaclyn (Bryan Thorson) Metz Thorson of Hudson, WI; grandchildren Nicholas Hilton and Sydney Thorson; siblings, Marge Steinwand, WA; Dennis (Harriet) Metz, CO; Linda Ruhland, WA; Joyce (John) Hintz, ND;  Jim (Maggie) Metz, NV; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lydia and Otto Metz; brothers Lloyd and Curtis; sisters Bernice (infant), Darlene, Shirley and Esther; and brothers -in -law Jake Steinwand, Herman Ruhland and Arthur Engel.

Special thanks to Drs. David and Tiffany Marinier, Lisa Gundersen, and Gundersen Hospice (especially Jason) for their kind and compassionate care during Gordon’s almost two-year battle with cancer.

Memorials preferred to Gundersen Oncology or Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice.

A small memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 20, at The Gathering Place in Onalaska, WI (133 Mason Street, Onalaska, WI). Visitation will start at 10am, then the service at 11 am with lunch to follow.  There will also be a small service in North Dakota at the VA Cemetery in Mandan, ND sometime in the summer. More details on the VA service will come in later months.