Garth William Wangemann was born in Sheboygan on December 26, 1955. He graduated from Sheboygan South High School in 1974. After high school, he went to UW-Sheboygan, then transferred to UW-Milwaukee where he met Roy Badger, his friend, his love, his partner, and his husband of 48 years.

After college, he worked in the title insurance industry, first at Pioneer Title, then at Chicago Title. Garth went on to MATC and graduated with honors in health and human services. Before retiring, he worked at Buy Seasons Halloween Costumes in New Berlin.

Roy and Garth committed themselves to each other on November 7, 1976, and were legally married 38 years later on November 8, 2014. Roy and Garth were one of eight couples involved in a lawsuit for marriage equality, taking it through appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court.

This was all possible through the efforts and talents of individuals unique to the cause for equality from the ACLU Milwaukee chapter, which Roy and Garth held dear to their hearts. The success of these efforts made it possible for people from all walks of life to marry with the full rights allowed by the United States government.

A long-time member of the Galano Club, an LGBTQ recovery center, Garth helped many people battling with their struggles with drugs and alcohol. For many years Garth also DJ’d dances and set up fundraising activities for the club.

A long-time volunteer, Garth offered his time and talent to the Milwaukee AIDS project with the Buddy Program and was a member of the Board of Directors. He also gave his time for many years to the Channel Ten Auction, Irish Fest, and Pride Fest.

He loved his dogs, Reva, Harley, Cosmo, Daisy, and Winston, and is survived by his little 6-pound Effie.

We will miss you dearly Garth, and we will be together again when the time is right.