Gordon Lyle Landphier

Waunakee-Gordon Landphier 84 passed away on May 18, 2010, after a courageous battle with heart and kidney failure. Born June 3, 1925 to Helen (Prouty) and David Landphier, in Viola, Wisconsin. Gordon was raised in Richland Center, Wisconsin with his sister Phyllis and brother David. His high school was interrupted in 1943, when he enlister in the Navy where he served until 1946 as a torpedo man aboard the destroyer escort Wiseman 667 in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific theaters. After WWII, he finished high school then obtained a Forestry Degree from the University of Minnesota. Gordon married Emily Jean Surrem March 20, 1949, and together they raised 3 children, Linda, Diane and Scott. He began working for the State of Wisconsin DNR in 1954 and moved throughout central Wisconsin. Eventually, they settled in Waunakee, Wisconsin in 1970 and became charter members of Peace Lutheran Church. He retired as the Chief Forest Ranger of the Protection Section in the Division of Forestry in 1987.   During retirement, Gordon and Emily loved their winters in Arizona. Gordon had a unique eye for ""treasures"" at garage and estate sales. He was a master collector. This bloomed into his second career as an antique dealer. The annual Landphier garage sale was legendary. He also loved his garden of roses and vegetables; he was particularly proud of his raspberries that his loving Emily would make into preserves and pie. Seldom did a meal pass without dessert! He was a master craftsman with wood, making and restoring beautiful furniture. He also loved his black Labradors, the outdoors, camping and hunting pheasants with his son Scott and friends in Iowa and at the family cabin on the Flambeau River. He was an avid supporter of education and the arts and was lifetime member of the NRA.   Gordon is survived by his daughter Linda Cohen of Waunakee, granddaughters Sarah Cohen of Chicago and Amy (Ron) Caron of Minneapolis, daughter-in-law Sarah Woodworth of Mazomanie, brother-in-law John (Erma) Surrem of Richland Center, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Emily, parents David and Helen, daughter Diane, son Scott, brother David and sister Phyllis Witter. Gordon will be best remembered for his kind manner and warm heart. He was loved by so many and will be dearly missed.   Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 11:00am at Peace Lutheran Church in Waunakee. Rev Karen Locken will preside. Friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00am until the time of services. Burial will take place in the Richland Center Cemetery at 3:30pm.   Winn-Cress Funeral Home 5785 Hwy Q Waunakee, Wisconsin   53597