Gary Lee Velde
d. February 10, 2016
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS ARE PREFERRED TO HOSPICE OR THE MINNESOTA MACHINERY MUSEUM OF HANLEY FALLS.
Gary Lee Velde was born on Jan. 22, 1950, in Clarkfield, MN, the son of Leon and Geraldine (Swang) Velde. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, MN and graduated from Hanley Falls High School in 1968.
Gary proudly served his country in the United States Army from June of 1969 until his honorable discharge in Jan. of 1972. He returned home to assist in the family farming operation and when he retired from farming, he became a representative for Pioneer Seed Company.
Gary was very active in local community organizations including the Hanley Falls American Legion, the Pioneer Power Club, served as clerk for Minnesota Falls Township for 31 years, was a member of the Airport Commission, a board member and treasurer of the Minnesota Machinery Museum of Hanley Falls and a lifelong member of Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church. He was also proud of being instrumental in bringing the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to Hanley Falls, with the assistance of Ron Fagen.
Gary loved spending winters in Arizona and in his younger years he enjoyed traveling (especially to Hawaii), going on annual fishing trips, watching baseball, boating, reading and listening to live music. He also enjoyed playing blackjack and telling jokes!
On Wednesday Feb. 10, 2016, Gary was called from this life while a patient at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He was 66 years of age.
Surviving family include his mother Geraldine of Granite Falls, MN; his daughters Sarah (& Austin) Victor of Chicago, IL and Wendy (& Joe) Allen of Prescott, AZ; his significant other of 18 years, Julie Blaufuss of Chandler, AZ; 2 grandsons- Zakary Todd Allen and Marcus Joseph Allen; sister Kathy (& Larry) Torke of Hanley Falls, MN; brother Alan (& Cindy) Velde, also of Hanley Falls, MN; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Leon; his daughter Faith and his son Todd.
Gary Lee Velde was born on Jan. 22, 1950, in Clarkfield, MN, the son of Leon and Geraldine (Swang) Velde. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, MN and graduated from Hanley Falls High School in 1968.
Gary proudly served his country in the United States Army from June of 1969 until his honorable discharge in Jan. of 1972. He returned home to assist in the family farming operation and when he retired from farming, he became a representative for Pioneer Seed Company.
Gary was very active in local community organizations including the Hanley Falls American Legion, the Pioneer Power Club, served as clerk for Minnesota Falls Township for 31 years, was a member of the Airport Commission, a board member and treasurer of the Minnesota Machinery Museum of Hanley Falls and a lifelong member of Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church. He was also proud of being instrumental in bringing the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to Hanley Falls, with the assistance of Ron Fagen.
Gary loved spending winters in Arizona and in his younger years he enjoyed traveling (especially to Hawaii), going on annual fishing trips, watching baseball, boating, reading and listening to live music. He also enjoyed playing blackjack and telling jokes!
On Wednesday Feb. 10, 2016, Gary was called from this life while a patient at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Phoenix, AZ. He was 66 years of age.
Surviving family include his mother Geraldine of Granite Falls, MN; his daughters Sarah (& Austin) Victor of Chicago, IL and Wendy (& Joe) Allen of Prescott, AZ; his significant other of 18 years, Julie Blaufuss of Chandler, AZ; 2 grandsons- Zakary Todd Allen and Marcus Joseph Allen; sister Kathy (& Larry) Torke of Hanley Falls, MN; brother Alan (& Cindy) Velde, also of Hanley Falls, MN; nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Leon; his daughter Faith and his son Todd.
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