Gunner Field

The closure was the direct result of the death of its owner and sole operator. As a personal, private-use airfield, its existence was dependent on the owner's aviation activities. After his passing, the property was likely transferred and the land was repurposed by his family or the new owners.

The site of the former airfield has been completely converted back to agricultural use. High-resolution satellite imagery of the coordinates confirms that the former turf runway is no longer visible and has been fully integrated into the surrounding cultivated farmland. Any associated buildings, such as a hangar, may remain as farm outbuildings, but the aviation infrastructure itself has been removed.

Gunner Field was a private turf runway airfield. Its significance was not commercial or military, but personal. It served as the home base for its owner, Gunner Gauerke, a local pilot in Athens, WI. The operations were limited to general aviation, likely involving small, single-engine aircraft for recreational flying. The airport's name is derived from its owner. It was a feature of the local general aviation landscape for the duration of its operation but did not host any commercial services, flight schools, or military activity.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Gunner Field. Given that it was a private field, the land has been repurposed for agriculture, and the original operator has passed away, the likelihood of it ever being re-established as an airport is virtually zero.