Gordon N. Malaise passed away peacefully at Care & Rehab - Ladysmith on November 15, 2025, at the age of 95. Gordy was born in Minneapolis to Clayton and Ethel (McGregor) Malaise on December 14, 1929. He grew up in Bruce where he excelled both as a scholar and an athlete, graduated from Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, began his college career at the University of Wisconsin, and finished his college work at Superior State College where he participated in Air Force ROTC. He served his active duty during the Korean Conflict at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston and eventually retired as a Captain in the Reserves.

Gordy married Elenore A. Mataczynski on February 19, 1955, and thus began a 70-year partnership both in business and in life. Together, they owned and operated the Ben Franklin Store in Ladysmith for 43 years from 1957 to 2000, where they enjoyed serving their customers. At the peak of their business career they also owned Ben Franklin Stores in Cornell and Holmen.

In addition to running his business, Gordy also served as a leader in the Ladysmith community. He served as a trustee of Mount Senario College and, in that capacity, also represented private colleges and universities on the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board. In addition, he served on the board of directors of the Ladysmith Federal Savings and Loan, retiring as president of the board. He was a lifelong member of the Kiwanis Club and the Republican Party. In his younger days he coached Little League and American Legion baseball.

Gordy was a social man, a people person, who had a gift for friendship. He had many friends, and they were important to him. He knew everybody in town and would greet and exchange pleasantries with everyone with whom he crossed paths. Indeed, sometimes it seemed as if he knew everybody in northwestern Wisconsin as whenever he walked into a restaurant in any town in the area he knew somebody or vice versa. He bonded with people through sports both as a participant and as a fan. As a participant, he was a local legend in Bruce in the late 40's for his feats in football, basketball, and baseball. Later, as an adult he enjoyed the camaraderie of the golf course. As a fan, he was a strong supporter of Ladysmith High School athletics, never missing a game. Going to the state basketball tournament with all the guys from Ladysmith was an annual ritual for 50 years, the highlight being 2004, the year Ladysmith won. And, of course, he loved the Packers, Badgers, Brewers, and Bucks.

In retirement Gordy and Elenore traveled the world to too many places to list them all here. They also wintered in Mesquite, Nevada for many years where they made a whole new set of friends among their fellow snowbirds. But most of all Gordy enjoyed seeing his children establish themselves as successful adults, his granddaughters grow up into fine young women, and his great grandsons getting off to a good start in life.

In sum, Gordy's life can be summed up in one word: Love- love for his family, love for his community, love for his country, and love for his fellow man. He was a good man and he will be missed.

Gordy is survived by his wife Elenore; his children Gordon (Donna) Malaise of Madison, Renee (Joe) Antieau of Chetek, and Susanne (Alek) Malaise of Hood River, Oregon; his granddaughters Laura (Nik) Antieau of Chetek and Elaine (Matt) Warren of Bloomer; and his great grandsons Jack and Theo Warren of Bloomer. Gordy was predeceased by his parents and by his brother Clayton.

The family would like to thank the staff at Care & Rehab - Ladysmith and Marshfield Medical Center - Rice Lake Hospice for the excellent care they provided for Gordy. The family would also like to thank Deacon Doug Sorenson for being with Gordy right until the end.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Ladysmith with Deacon Craig Voldberg officiating and Deacon Doug Sorenson assisting. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. Burial at Riverside Cemetery in Ladysmith will follow the service. Military Honors will be provided by the Rusk County Honor Guard. Nash-Jackan Funeral Home is assisting the family with the service

A complete obituary will also be published in the Ladysmith News.