Gary was born June 28, 1959, in Blue Earth to Gerald and Mary (Morgan) Engelby. He attended and graduated from Winnebago High School. Gary then went to South Central Tech in Mankato and obtained a degree in Ag Business. On Aug. 25, 1979, Gary married Linda Mrachek in Winnebago. The couple then settled on the farm and were blessed with two children, Jason and Britny. Gary and Linda loved to travel and explore many places, one of their favorite places to go was Mexico. Gary often traveled with his family and close friends, and they all made many memories over the years. Gary served on many boards and programs throughout his lifetime, including the Winnebago Methodist Church, Lord’s Acre, First Bank Blue Earth, and School Board, among others. Gary was a long-time member of the Winnebago Methodist Church and he truly believed that his life was in the hands of the Lord at all times. Gary lived and farmed around the Winnebago area his entire life. He was a farmer through and through. From his rough hands to his time spent tinkering in the shop, farming was his passion. Gary also enjoyed all kinds of sports, hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors. He loved his family, and his grandsons were his world. He was always very hands on with them. You could often see him teaching them to drive tractor, shoot trap, fix farm equipment, weld, and throwing a football or a baseball with them. If the boys had any activity, Gary would always be in the audience cheering them on. Gary always told the boys to be humble, be kind, and respectful. He was always behind the camera, capturing the life and smiles of his family to cherish. Gary was friendly, outgoing, and well known. Gary also had the best reasoning, logic, and knowledge. Many reached out for advice. You might not always like what he had to say, but he was always right. His words of advice will be remembered in our hearts as we carry on the love that he taught us for family, friends, and strangers. Gary always had a cool and calming nature about him, so no matter your trouble, it wasn’t really a trouble at all. No matter your mood, you left in a good one. No matter how sad you were, you were left with a smile on your face.

Gary will be deeply missed. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Jason (Melissa) Engelby of Winnebago, and Britny (Guy) Zastrow of Truman; grandsons, Drake and Jake Ryan Engelby, Talin Thate, and Levi and Ethan Zastrow; mother-in-law, Janet Mrachek; and special friends, Lori and Scott Foster.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mary Engelby; and father-in-law, Kenneth Mrachek.

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