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SUN PRAIRIE / TABERNASH, Colo. - Lorence David “Lorie” Wheeler, age 87, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025. He was born on January 31, 1938, to Lois (Biddick) and Merle Wheeler. Lorie joined a family that included a ready-made loyal friend, advocate and hero in his older half-sister, Mary Alice. After a few years in Milwaukee, the Wheelers moved to Madison, where his mother taught elementary school and his father finished his bachelor’s degree and worked for the state. The family settled on West Lawn Avenue, just blocks from Camp Randall Stadium. Antics ensued as Lorie and the neighborhood kids enacted elaborate and often successful plans for sneaking into the stadium for football games.

Even with his calm, thoughtful personality, Lorie was a talented athlete and fierce competitor in his youth. His love of competition bloomed in 5th grade when he took first place in the Randall Elementary School marble contest and advanced to the city finals. Lorie played hockey, baseball, and some pretty good football at Madison West. He was team captain and unanimously selected for First Team All-Conference. His high school success meant that, at a towering 5’8” and 180 pounds, he played right guard on the freshman squad for the Badgers.

On a rainy Maundy Thursday afternoon, he met the love of his life, Ann Warner, at The Pub on State Street. Ann had ducked into the pub to wait out the rain on her way to catch a train home to Michigan. Lorie, being a local boy, was in his drinks, but Ann caught his attention. He memorized her number and called her a week later when she returned to town. Ann, impressed with his focus and determination, said ‘why not’ to a date. They were married in the summer of 1961, starting a love story that lasted until the day he died. At his passing, Lorie left on his desk a “To Do” list with the first item as “Flowers for Ann.”

Post-college, Lorie enlisted and served two years as an Airborne Army Ranger. After serving, he enrolled at the UW-Madison Law School, eventually becoming a partner at the law firm Aberg, Bell, Blake and Metzner. After many years of private practice, Lorie made the switch to work for CUNA, running the retirement and pension benefits department until his retirement.

Lorie and Ann raised their children in Monona. They then built their dream home in the Colorado mountains overlooking the Continental Divide, living there happily for 25 years. They designed the house for guests, all friends, friends-of-friends and even their children’s friends were welcomed and handed a cocktail. Lorie was a spiritual man who believed that Christianity requires action, meaning he was on a lot of committees. To list all his activities would be impossible, but some highlights include West High School Class President and Vice President, Chi Psi Fraternity Board, President of the Blue Line Club, volunteer for the National Sports for the Disabled, Founder of Grand Mountain Bank, Treasurer of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and even recently, a founding member of the food committee of Talamore Senior Living.

Lorie loved black labs, a round of golf, poker, bocce and a glass of wine with friends. He skied into his 70s until his ankles went out, and then happily shuttled friends and family to and from the hill. He excelled at finding previously unadvertised parking spots, considering all sides of an issue, making buttermilk pancakes, giving directions, often with a side of local history, and making people feel comfortable by sharing his genuine warmth.

Lorie is survived by his wife, Ann Warner Wheeler; three children, Lisa Wheeler, David (Kristin) Wheeler and Jane (Brian) Kelly; four grandchildren, Amelia Kelly, Lucy Kelly, Graeme Wheeler and Maren Wheeler; a very good boy, Winston the dog; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lois and Merle Wheeler; and his sister, Mary Alice Smith.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday September 27, 2025, with military honors and a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff and community at Talamore Senior Living for their compassion and care.

At the end of his life, Lorie was still actively helping his community and was the honorary chair of a committee raising funds to replace the roof on his small church in Granby, Colo. To honor his work, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 954, Granby, CO 80446. Please include “Wheeler Memorial” in the memo line.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Lorence David Wheeler

January 31, 1938 - August 03, 2025

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