Gary Ronald Schacht, 80, of Stanley, Wisconsin passed away peacefully Thursday, Sept 18, 2025, with his sister at his side after battling heart disease for 10 years.
Gary was born June 30, 1945, in Eau Claire to Harry and Elsie Schacht. He first attended school in the Jobs one room schoolhouse in the Township of Washington and then graduated in 1963 from Memorial High School in Eau Claire, WI.
Gary was a dairy farmer his whole life. He first worked on his Uncle Clarence Prochnow’s farm in Ludington, WI, while in High School and after graduation before he started his own dairy farm in 1970 in Stanley, WI. He operated the farm until he retired from milking cows in 2015.
He was a dedicated Historical Steam Engineer. As a child his family would go to Steam Shows in Wisconsin, Canada, Iowa, and Minnesota where he first began his long association and passion with steam engines. He and his farther Harry Schacht bought their first steam engine, a 1916, 65 Case in 1972, an engine he and his family have meticulously restored and maintained that is still running in the family today. He was an active member of the Chippewa Valley Antique Engine and Model Club, Eau Claire, WI; the North Central Antique Steam & Gas Engine Club, Edgar, WI; the Hungry Hollow Steam and Gas Engine Club, Rice Lake, WI; Badger Steam and Gas Engine Club, Baraboo, WI; the Wisconsin Historical Steam Engine Association, and the Minnesota Steam Engine Association. He held the certificates of Power Engineer from the National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers and for Facility Op Engineer 2nd Class from the American Society of Power Engineers.
Gary was featured in steam magazine articles in Engines and Engineers and the Ironmen Album and books covering the historical steam engine hobby as well as the cover of the internationally published book by British author Andrew Morland “Traction Engines” centered on the Historical Steam Engine hobby. He was invited to display his Steam Engine for threshing, sawmill, and plowing demonstrations at several Farm Technology Days events to showcase the evolution of farming from the early 1900’s to the present.
Gary is survived by his children, Darrell Smith of Oklahoma City, OK, Debbie (Amy) Smith of San Francisco, CA, Kevin Smith of Eau Claire, WI, Terri (Sonny) Steinke of Manitowoc, WI, Mike (Camille) Luke of Washington, and a sister Shirley Fischer of Eau Claire, WI.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Joanne Schacht, and his third wife, Diane Schacht.
The family wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice for their compassion and care of Gary and his family as well as the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Mayo Hospital while there.
Celebration of Life will be at the Stanley Community Center, 450 W. 4th Ave., Stanley, Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct 11, 2025, from 12-4 p.m. Private burial will be held at a later date in Oakland Cemetery, Stanley.
Chippewa Valley Cremation Services & Celebration of Life Center in Altoona is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.chippewavalleycremation.com.
