Gary Wandrey, 75, Owatonna

Gary Wandrey, age 75, passed away surrounded by family Aug. 8, 2024, in Owatonna.

Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna, and one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 3:45 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl, 9946 SE 24th Ave., Owatonna. Military honors will be provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit.

Gary was born Nov. 9, 1948, the second child of Alfred and Thedora (Valentyn) Wandrey.

He attended St. Mary's School through 8th grade, he attended Dodge Center High School, Foothill High School in Bakersfield, Calif., Brainerd High School and Owatonna High School.

He joined the U.S. Army April 3, 1967. In September 1967, he was sent to Vietnam serving through September 1968. He returned to Ft. Lewis near Tacoma, Wash. In July 1970, he served in Germany, Vietnam in 1971, and in March 1972 was wounded and returned to the states. He served until December 1980. In 1985, he returned to the military, joining the Army Reserves until retiring in 1993 with 21 years served.

On July 9,1983, he married the love of his life Rita (Rysavy) Wandrey, and together they had two children.

Gary worked as a truck driver with many area companies including Norseman Trucking, Waseca; Dietrich Trucking, New Ulm and Johnson Bros. Trucking, Waseca. He retired from Gallea Transfer, Owatonna, with 21 years of service.

He was a 3rd & 4th degree life member of the Owatonna Knights of Columbus; life member of V.F.W., Owatonna and Purple Heart Society. He was a Quilt of Valor recipient, May 2024.

Gary enjoyed camping, hunting, trap shooting, participating in the Big Island Rendezvous, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Gary is survived by his wife Rita; children, Tricia (James) Edmonson, Kellie (Thomas) Mabin, Gary S. Wandrey, Regina (Keith) Hawk, Jamie (Jessica) Wandrey, Holly (John) Anderson and Jonathon (Teresa) Wandrey; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Brian (Nan) Wandrey, Allienne (Odean) Haarstad, Sandy Beaudoin, Dennis (Debbie) Wandrey, Dianne (Freddie) Engelhart, Greg Wandrey, LaRayne Wandrey and Patty Wandrey.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Thedora Wandrey; brothers, Alfred Wandrey, Richard Wandrey and Roger Wandrey and sister Pamela (Wandrey) Bowe; grandson, Trevor Kelling; niece, Belinda Demming; father and mother-in-law, Jerry & Roselyn Rysavy; brother-in-law, David Rysavy and sister-in-law, Gail (Borchert) Rysavy.

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the American Cancer Society, Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna or Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl.

In Gary’s words, “THERE YOU GO.” For more information or to leave an online condolence message, go to www.megercares.com.