Gary L. Case, Ph.D.

MADISON - Gary Lee Case, age 81, passed away peacefully at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. He was born in Lancaster, WI, on November 7, 1943, the youngest of four sons of Lloyd and Hazel Case. Gary grew up on the family grain and livestock farm and attended the one room Rock School where he was the only student in his grade. He graduated Valedictorian of his class at Lancaster High School in 1961 where he played basketball and participated in track, 4-H and band. Gary attended the University of Wisconsin, received his BS and MS degrees in Meat and Animal Science and his PhD degree in Biochemistry and Nutritional Sciences in 1976. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.

In 1974 Gary and his family moved to Fort Collins, CO, (1974-79) where Gary accepted Postdoctoral Fellow and Assistant Professor positions at Colorado State University doing research in enteric diseases and diabetes. That was followed by five years as general partner of his family’s Case Blue Ridge Farm, Lancaster, WI. In 1985, Gary returned to the University of Wisconsin as Assistant Scientist in the Department of Nutritional Sciences doing folic acid research. In 1995 he began as a Researcher in the Peptide Synthesis core facility laboratory in the Biotechnology Center and in 2002 he became the manager, retiring in 2010.

Gary had a great sense of humor, appreciated by friends and family alike. He was an avid Packer and Badger sports fan following the football, basketball, hockey and volleyball teams. He was Mr. Fix-it and could fix or repair almost everything whether on the farm, in the laboratory or at home. He was a proud blood donor, giving more than eleven gallons of blood. Gary was a member of Lakeview Lutheran Church for more than 30 years. He served as Vice President of the Council, on the Endowment and Bylaws committees, was a Sunday School teacher and sang in the choir for many years. Through church and Lutheran Disaster Response, Gary worked in Biloxi, MS following Hurricane Katrina and in Minot, ND on flood relief. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity building homes in the Madison area.

In retirement, Gary enjoyed gardening and doing puzzles especially 3-D puzzles. His favorite job was as a tram driver and tour guide at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, a job he held for about 10 years. Gary was also a volunteer train driver at the Henry Vilas Zoo. At Oakwood, Gary chaired the Grounds and Dining committees, served on the By-laws committee and worked diligently to get the accessible community gardens built.  

While in college, Gary met and married his wife, Carole Lynn Hogan, on September 5, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Madison. They were married for 60 years. They have two sons, David Lloyd (Susan Lagemann) Case, Brookfield, WI and Jason Andrew (Carri Hanson) Case of Stoughton. Gary and Lynn had a special relationship with their only grandchild, Andrew Case. They homeschooled Andrew during covid and enjoyed many hiking trips together as well as vacations in Minocqua, Door County, St. Louis, and Springfield, IL. Together Gary and Lynn enjoyed many travels, visiting most of the United States and many European countries, Russia, China, Australia and New Zealand and family vacations to Alaska and Yellowstone. A recent cruise trip began in Iceland and ended in Barcelona, Spain with a visit to the Sagrada Familia.

Gary is survived by his wife, Lynn; two sons, David and Jason and their wives; grandson, Andrew; brother, Melvin Case, Lancaster, WI; brother-in-law, Hal Hogan, Lake Mills; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Carl Case and Marvin Case; grandson, Joseph Case; and many aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD VILLAGE EAST TREE OF LIFE CHAPEL, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with Chaplain Wayne Shannon presiding. A visitation will be held in the chapel from 1:30 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorials may be made to Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the Oakwood Foundation, Lakeview Lutheran Church or Agrace Hospice.

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

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420