Gail Marie Kestly, age 83, passed away peacefully Saturday evening, February 21, 2026, surrounded by love. She was born on March 5, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Cecelia (Welcyng) and Phil Warchol and the stepdaughter of Eugene Wielgus. Though born in Chicago, Gail was raised in Pulaski, Wisconsin, a place she loved deeply and always considered home.
On December 30, 1961, Gail married the love of her life, Frederick “Fritz” Kestly, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Pulaski. Together they built a life rooted in faith, family, friendship, and community. Pulaski was more than a hometown; it was the heart of their story, filled with people they cherished and friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Gail was a devoted mother to her three children: Steve (Betty) Kestly of Oneida,
Karen (Ted) Staege of Waunakee and Kathleen (John) Krause of Green Bay.
She was a proud and loving grandmother to Hannah Kestly and Chaz (Kayli) Kestly; Ryan Staege (Jess Eversoll), Jared (Hannah) Staege, and Cecilia (Ryan) Staege Yentz; and Maegan Krause, Isaac (Grace) Krause, Grace (Jimmy) Geneisse, and Emma Krause. She was overjoyed to be a great-grandmother to Frederick Staege and Rowan Frederick Kestly.
Gail is also survived by her brother Jim (Chris) Warchol; his son Adam (Leslie) and their child Jameson of Texas; and her sisters-in-law Sandra (Dr. Peter) VanDerhei, Sally Zwicky, and Mary Sue Kestly of Antigo.
Gail was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Fritz Kestly on February 25, 2022; her parents, Cecelia and Phil Warchol; her stepfather, Eugene Wielgus; and her many aunts and uncles from Chicago, who played such an important role in her childhood and always remained close to her heart.
To know Gail was to know kindness, gentleness, and quiet strength. She had a deep and steady faith and lived her life with grace. She was flexible beyond measure, especially as the ultimate “basketball wife,” somehow keeping life running smoothly through Fred’s busy coaching schedule. Fritz was truly lucky to have her. Gail’s work career entailed many years working as a secretary/bookkeeper at Furnitureland in Pulaski, finishing her career at McCormick Home in Green Bay.
Gail loved to polka, read books, quilt beautiful creations, and golf. Family gatherings weren’t complete without “Grandma’s barbecue.” She enjoyed winning at cards, especially bridge, sipping an old fashioned, and most of all, cheering on and supporting her grandchildren in all of their activities.
After retirement, Gail and Fritz fully embraced life, spending summers at Bass Lake in Deerbrook golfing nearly every day and wintering in The Villages in Florida. They also enjoyed many memorable trips together. After Fritz’s passing, Emerald Bay became Gail’s home, where she was lovingly cared for, though she always looked forward to trips back to Bass Lake with family in the summer.
Gail was a longtime member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Pulaski and later a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Elcho.
Friends are invited to gather with family at Assumption B.V.M. Church, 126 E. Pulaski St., Pulaski from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 28. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church, Fr. Bill Rooney, O.F.M. presiding.
The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed on the parish Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Assumption-BVM-St-Stanislaus-St-Casimir-Parish-Family-89119956934
In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to the Kestly Family Scholarship Fund at Pulaski High School.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Emerald Bay for their compassionate and exceptional care. We would also like to thank Unity Hospice for the kindness and care they provided Gail.
Gail lived a beautiful life, full of faith, love, laughter, and devotion to those she held dear. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.