Gordon "Gordy" John Lauder

Gordon John Lauder, 77, of Sturgeon Bay, formerly of Madison, died peacefully early Tuesday morning, February 3, 2026 at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

He was born January 3, 1949 in Green Bay, the son of Gordon "Red" Lauder and Carmen (Larscheid) Lauder. Gordy's family moved to Sturgeon Bay in the early 1950s. He and his siblings grew up at the Hotel Carmen (named after their mother), which was located at the corner of Third Avenue and Jefferson Street. Gordy attended St. Joseph Parochial School and graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School with the class of 1967. He went on to study at UW-Milwaukee.

Gordy served his country with the United States Army, entering into active duty 1969. He was stationed in Oberammergau, Germany. Gordy was honorably discharged from the Army in 1971.

He returned home to Sturgeon Bay and worked at Door County Canning Company and as a bartender at Leathem Smith Lodge. Gordy was also a caretaker for George Baudhuin, a role he always treasured.

He moved to Madison in 1973 to attend UW-Madison. Gordy worked primarily in the hospitality business and became a familiar face behind the bar at various taverns and restaurants, including Paradise Lounge and Licari's Bar & Grill, both of which he managed, and also worked for Schmidt's Auto Salvage. While bartending, Gordy met Debra DeFraties who was moving from Madison to Verona, and from that first conversation, he helped her move and never left! They were united in marriage on April 5, 1980, at his brother Paul's home in Madison. Gordy and Debbie resided in Madison, with brief jaunts to Sturgeon Bay and Moscow, Idaho, and could be found cheering on the Badgers over the years.

Gordy played in volleyball and golf leagues in Madison. He spent many years in the pursuit of (unsuccessfully) learning how to play golf. Gordy and Debbie enjoyed visiting casinos and golfing while traveling. And who could forget the memorable trip Gordy took with his boss to try their luck at the casinos in Atlantic City, NJ. Those who knew them may recall when Gordy and Debbie won a Megabucks (mini) Lottery.

He and Debbie returned to Sturgeon Bay in July 2025.

Gordon will be missed by his wife, Debbie, with whom he shared nearly 46 years of marriage; siblings, Richard Lauder of Madison, Paul (Chris Judah) Lauder of Dallas, TX, Carolyn (Bill) Lehman of the Town of Sevastopol, and Mary (Mark) Stephenson of Sturgeon Bay; sisters-in-law, Dawn (Gary) Berge of Snowflake, AZ and Penny DeFraties of Florence, SC; many nieces and nephews; other relatives; and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tom Lauder; parents-in-law, William and Edith (nee Steele) DeFraties; brother-in-law, Dean DeFraties; and other relatives.

A celebration of Gordy's life may be held at a later date - to be announced.

Memorials may be given in his name for Door County Veterans Council (mail to: Door County Veterans Service Office, 421 Nebraska Street #C203, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235; 920-746-2226).

A heartfelt thanks goes out to the staff of St. Vincent Hospital, especially the ICU, IMCU, and Chaplain Bill, for the compassionate care you gave Gordy. Special gratitude to Dr. John Hutto, who allowed us to have Gordy for 15 additional years.

Arrangements have been entrusted with Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Gordy may be shared with his family through his tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gordon "Gordy" John Lauder, please visit our floral store.