FAIRMONT — Funeral Mass for Gary E. Reutzel, age 63, of Fairmont, Minn., will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont, with inurnment at a later date. Military honors will be provided by Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1222.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

Gary passed away Sunday evening, Dec. 1, 2019, at his home in Fairmont, surrounded by his family.

Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gary Ervin Reutzel was born in Fairmont, Minn., the son of Ervin and Anna Mae (Sokoloski) Reutzel. Gary received his education in Fairmont. Gary enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1973. He served aboard the USS Buchanan until earning an honorable discharge in July of 1976.

Gary was united in marriage to Norma Sunderman in 1978 in Austin, Minn.

He was later united in marriage to Anne Paczkowski on July 30, 1993, in Bellevue, Neb. The couple resided in Bellevue until 1996, when they moved to Fairmont, where Gary worked as a machinist as well as a hairdresser until his retirement in 2011. Gary and Anne shared over 26 years together.

Gary attended St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont.

His dedication to caring for fellow veterans was important to Gary. He was a member of the Martin County Veterans of Foreign Wars and twice served as Post Commander. Gary also served as DAV Commander, Martin County Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Treasurer, Martin County Veterans Memorial Chairman, as well as volunteering at St. John Vianney School.

During his free time, Gary enjoyed golfing, working in his yard, as well as traveling around the United States.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to Gary’s sister-in-law, Jacki Buckalew, for her care and compassion.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Anne Reutzel; children, Crystal Reutzel Halverson, Kristine (Mike) Fischer, and Ryan Paczkowski; grandchildren, Chandler Halverson, Jagaar Halverson, Hannah Fischer and Makenna Fischer; mother, Anna Mae Reutzel; father, Ervin (Dorothy) Reutzel; sisters, Gloria (Dave) Brownlee, Helen (Kim) Schroeder, and Becky Musser; father-in-law, Jack Golden; brothers-in-law, Robert (Michelle) Capps, and Jerry (Sylvia) Golden; sisters-in-law, Jacki Buckalew, and Sue (Bruce) Crabbe; other extended family and many friends.

Gary was preceded in death by an infant sister, Debra Reutzel; brother, Roger Reutzel; nephew, Joshua Musser; grandparents, Stanley and Anna Sokoloski, and Henry and Anna Reutzel; and mother-in-law, Joyce Golden.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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