Gary R. Kostlan, 76, of Saline, MI passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025 after an extended illness. He was born in 1949 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Lorraine (Henne) Kostlan. Gary graduated from Brookfield Central High School in 1968 and went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He was proud to have served as a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard 128th Air Refueling Group.
Gary loved to laugh and kid around with family and friends and had a lifetime of funny stories to tell. He was an enthusiast of classic cars, known for his deep knowledge and particular love of early Corvettes and 1960s-era Mopar vehicles. He greatly enjoyed connecting with fellow car enthusiasts to share stories, swap information, and learn from others.
Gary built a successful career applying his microbiology background to Quality Assurance and Food Safety in the commercial dairy industry. He began by specializing in milk, cultured dairy products, and ice cream production. His work took him across the country and his expertise in the field and problem-solving abilities earned him respect from those he interacted with. He also spent a portion of his working years in the field of inventory control. Later in his career, Gary followed his entrepreneurial passion and developed an ice cream sundae treat for dogs featuring a unique swirl of flavoring that achieved national distribution.
Gary is survived by his wife, Catherine (Katie) of Saline, Michigan; his son, Raymond of Saline, who is currently a student at Loyola University; his sister, Kris (Dennis) Walker of Hartford, Wisconsin; his niece, Julie (Terry) Needham of Brookfield, Wisconsin; and his nephew, Brian (Brook) Goessel of Bonita Springs, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Lorraine (Henne) Kostlan.
A memorial service to honor Gary’s life will be held at Krause Funeral Home, New Berlin, Wisconsin at a date yet to be announced, remembering a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
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