BLAIR - Gary Earl Armitage, 74 of Blair passed away peacefully in his home on September 11, 2018, surrounded by family and friends. Gary was born on June 19, 1944, in Seymour, WI to Merle and Rosella (Lautenschlager) Armitage.  After Gary's father passed unexpectedly, Rosella married Marshall Grass, who raised Gary and his siblings as his own from then on.  Gary married Patricia "Patsy" Berg on June 26, 1965, in Blair, WI. Together they had three children, Penny Lyn, Tammy Sue and Travis Merle.  They worked, lived and raised their family on the farm, for which Gary took great pride in.  Later Gary and Patsy sold the farm and Gary began working as the foreman of a guardrail crew, until he retired.     Gary was known to have an unbeatable work ethic and believed that a job should be done right the first time.   Anyone who knew him well would tell you that he was as strong as a bull and tough as nails, but also had a heart of gold.  Gary had an especially soft spot for his grandchildren, and loved spending time with them, and family in general.  It was very common for the family to gather on Sunday afternoons for a grill out at "Grandpa's".  Gary enjoyed fishing and hunting, and loved to watch Nascar, the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.  He also enjoyed playing cards and Rummikub, and was darn near impossible to beat!  Another of Gary's favorite pastimes was snowmobiling with family and friends.  He was an avid member of the Jackson Trempealeau Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club for many years.    Gary is survived by three children, Penny (Jon) Paulson, Tammy Long (Jerry Murphy) and Travis (Stacy) Armitage; grandchildren, Kailee (Brian) Jahr, Jonathan Paulson (Adrianne Laumann), Tricia (Dustin) Shramek, Garrison, Grason and Gabe Armitage; great-grandchildren, Kyle, Kensi and Claire Jahr, Alivia Coleman, Chloe Paulson and Emma, Brighton and Oliver Shramek all of Blair; brothers Dennis Armitage of Armstrong, Mo., Alan Grass (Sandy McDougall) of Blair, and sisters Carla (John)Tenneson, of Blair and Brenda (Norman) Olson of Taylor; sisters-in-law Annie (Larry) Stegall of Rockford, Ill., Lindy (Bob) Plumer of Durand and Julie (Jim) Pogreba of New Rockford, N.D.  Tracy Berg; several cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and very good friends. Gary was preceded in death by the love of his life, Patsy Armitage.  He was also preceded by his parents Merle Armitage and Rosella Grass, step-father Marshall Grass, two brothers-in-law, Roger and Douglas Berg; a sister-in-law, Mary Jane Christianson; a brother-in-law, Gary Christianson and his mother and father-in-law, Lois and Richard Berg. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 22nd at the East building of Blair Lutheran Church.  Vicar Paul Sannerud will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church and also one hour prior to services on Saturday. The Kratz Funeral Home-Portage (www.kratzfuneralhome.com) is assisting the family with arrangements. Service Details. Visitation

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the church and also one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Service Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 22nd at the East building of Blair Lutheran Church. Vicar Paul Sannerud will officiate.