Michael Gay

Michael Edward Gay was born April 5, 1952 in Stillwater, Minnesota, the son of Delores and Thomas Gay Jr. He passed away May 29, 2009 at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar, Minnesota. He was baptized into the Christian faith at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rush City, Minnesota. He grew up in Pine City attending school at Rock Creek Elementary and Pine City High School.Michael was united in marriage to Barbara Thompson on May 2, 1970 in Rush City Minnesota. To this union three children were born.Michael lived and worked in Wisconsin for a short time before returning to Pine City in 1972 to farm on the family farm. He moved to Minneapolis and worked as a welder before taking a job with Coca Cola in St. Paul. Michael drove truck for Old Home Foods before moving to Finalson, Minnesota and becoming an over the road truck driver. On March 3, 2001 Michael was married to Lola Gerdes in Granite Falls at Granite Falls Lutheran Church. Mike and Lola make their home in Maynard, where they are busy raising their grandchildren Gerald, Jermaine, and Jacob. He was working as an over the road truck driver at the time of his death. He enjoyed watching westerns, old movies, history documentaries, and the Vikings and the Twins. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Mike liked to keep up with current affairs and discussing politics. He had his own unique sense of humor and pride of family. He survived by his wife, Lola Gay of Maynard, Minnesota; children: Christopher (Rosalba) Gay of Solan Springs, Wisconsin; Courtney Gay of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; Dustin (Christine) Gay of Ashland, Wisconsin; step-daughter Shelley (Elkin) Reigstad of Granite Falls; father, Thomas (Marilyn) Gay Jr. of Ramsey, Minnesota; sisters: Peggy (Leon) Zavadil of Jametown, North Dakota; Deborah (John) McKeown of Muskegon, Michigan; brothers: Raymond "Scott" (Kathryn) Gay of Braham, Minnesota; Neal (Diana) Gay of Pine City, Minnesota; John (Debby) Gay of Knoxville, Tennesse; David (Colleen) Gay of Fall Creek, Wisconsin. Thirteen grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, and good friends Andy and Leanne Duis of Clarkfield, Minnesota. Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Dolores; brother, Robert Gay; and a niece, Jessica Gay.