Sally Jo Gautier, 56 of Rhinelander, passed away peacefully at her home, on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Sally was born on January 3, 1969, in Milwaukee, to Lawrence and Janice (Wolfe) Baker. After moving throughout Wisconsin with her family during her school years, she became a 1987 graduate of Jefferson High School in Jefferson, Wisconsin. Sally then moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she married Russell Gautier. The couple lived in Arizona where their son, Bryan, was born. They later divorced. While in Arizona, Sally attended college, earning a degree in accounting. In 2001, upon the death of her step-father, she moved back to Wisconsin to be with her mother in Rhinelander. Sally helped to care for her mother until her death in 2012. Later, Sally was employed by Lynn’s Catering, Home Depot, and most recently, Walmart.
She loved to watch Brewers Baseball, and enjoyed working with puzzles, and creating diamond art. She was a member of a Rhinelander pool league, shooting for Sunset Junction, formerly the Longbranch bar. Sally adopted her mother’s love of wolves, and also enjoyed maintaining a home aquarium with many fish.
Sally is survived by her son, Bryan (Jess) Gautier, of Arizona; long-time companion, Harry Novak, of Rhinelander; her father, Lawrence Baker, of Rhinelander; siblings, Allen (Jackie) Baker, of Rhinelander, Peggy Cogar, of Rhinelander, Tara Lange, of Merrill, WI, Bradley Graap, of Appleton, WI; nieces, Tiffany, Carrie, Jenna, Kolbie, and Miah; nephews, Cody, Nathan, Joshua, Zach, Mason, Jesse, and Devon; nine great-nieces, seven great-nephews, and one great-niece or -nephew due in May. Also surviving are many other relatives and friends.
Sally was preceded in death by her mother, Janice; an infant brother, Lawrence Baker; niece, Tabatha Shanmugam; and nephew, Logan Cogar.
In accordance with Sally’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. A celebration of life will take place at a later date.
