Gary Paul VanLandschoot
MUNISING, MI – Gary Paul VanLandschoot, age 70, of Munising, died surrounded by loved ones at his side.
Born in Munising on October 22, 1953, to Jerome and Anne VanLandschoot, the 6th of 9 children. Gary was raised in Brown’s Addition in the family home he later purchased, within a few steps of the commercial fishing docks.
Gary graduated from Mather High School in 1971. An avid football fan, he played for the Mather Mustangs all 4 years of high school and was a lifelong fan of the Green Bay Packers.
A hard worker from a young age, Gary spent the summer months of high school working for the family’s commercial fishing business, alongside his father Jerome, as well as his brothers. During the winter months of high school he kept busy working various part-time jobs in the community, and loved riding the trails around Munising and Grand Island on his Polaris snowmobile, which he purchased with his own hard-earned money.
After graduating from high school, Gary began working full-time for the family business, fishing both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. His 40+ year fishing career was spent alongside brothers Jerry and David, and cousin Paul. He retired in 2014 after brother Dennis purchased the family business. In retirement Gary enjoyed a simple life, relaxing and viewing Munising Bay from his lakefront home, ice fishing during the winter months, and taking trips to visit grandchildren in Arizona and Florida.
Gary is survived by his life partner, Kim Kaiser; Sons: Toby VanLandschoot (Ann), Lithia, FL and Jay VanLandschoot (Christina), Cave Creek, AZ; Grandchildren: Ava, Aubrey, Thomas and Simone VanLandschoot; Sisters: Carol James, Marquette, MI; Jeanne Vicary (Tom), Anacortes, WA; Susie Prunick (Jim), Munising; Brothers: Jerry (Annetta), Munising; David (Ann), Munising; Dennis (Mary), Shelter Bay; Alan (John), Mexico City, MX; Jeff, Fort Lauderdale, FL; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents, Jerome and Anne VanLandschoot and nephew, Kevin VanLandschoot.
Gary’s loved ones would like to extend a sincere thank you to North Woods Home Care and Hospice, particularly Amy, who provided such compassionate care during his long battle with cancer.
A memorial will be planned for the summer of 2024. Gary’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.