NEW YORK MILLS — A Celebration of Life for Gary Buckmeier, age 76, of New York Mills, Minn., will be held 1-4 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2020, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Sherburn, Minn.

Gary Duane Buckmeier was born April 12, 1943. He was the only child of Herbert and Marguerite (Weidenbach) Buckmeier. He grew up on the family farm near Truman, Minn. He graduated from Truman High School in 1961.

Gary met the love of his life, Loretta Ann Lutterman, at a phone booth on a blind date in 1962. They were united in marriage in 1963 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Sherburn, Minn.

Gary enjoyed dairy farming. He and Loretta had three children: Todd, Troy and Amy. Together they all worked on the family farm in Martin County, Minn. In 1985, they moved from southern Minnesota to New York Mills, Minn., and continued dairy farming.

Gary was quick to help out a neighbor or a friend in need. He looked on the bright side of life and liked tell jokes. Gary and Loretta often traveled long distances to visit family and friends for celebrations, birthdays or family gatherings. They enjoyed Sunday drives viewing the crops and spending time with the grandkids, especially to the local fair.

Gary, often called Bucky, had a distinctive walk. This “strut” of his was especially pronounced when he was angry. He was a “stubborn German” as he would often say. When we were younger, our dad had a temper which we rarely saw. He was hard working, bull-headed and stubborn. He was also far more fun-loving, quick to laugh and tell a joke. “Did you hear the one about Ole and Lena?” He was willing to stop everything to help out anyone. We remember as kids our parents’ home was often the place our friends wanted to come visit.

Gary passed away Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, surrounded by his loving family at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena, Minn., at 76 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Marguerite Buckmeier; and his father-in-law, Robert Lutterman.

He is survived by his wife, Loretta; his son, Todd (Lorry) and their children, Maggie, Garret and Charlie; son, Troy; and daughter, Amy (Troy) Anderson and their children, Ted and Alice; mother-in-law, Irene Lutterman; many other relatives and a host of friends.

To send Gary’s family a message of comfort and support, please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com

Arrangements are provided by Karvonen Funeral and Cremation Services of Wadena, Minn.

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