Gary Herrlinger

Gary Lee Herrlinger was born on November 14, 1940 to Edward and Laura (Vosberg) Herrlinger in Dovray, MN. The youngest of five children, Gary spent his childhood years helping his dad on the farm. He attended Glenwood High School and was a member of the wrestling team before graduating in 1958. After high school, Gary enlisted in the Navy. Eventually achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer, Gary’s naval service saw him to places like Guam, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Maine, and all along the east coast of the United States during his decades-long career. While on leave in 1963, Gary met Marion Mullet in Boston, MA, where she was working for Schrafft’s candy factory. Marion must have been as sweet as the candy she was making, as the two were married on April 7, 1965 in Boston. The newly married couple balanced raising a daughter, Theresa, and Gary’s deployment overseas. Gary affectionately thought of Theresa as his “spoiled military brat” as they moved and traveled often for his work. Finally, in 1977, the family settled into a quieter pace of life in Alexandria, MN. Gary’s number one activity in life was tending to Marion and the family’s needs; he could always be found by her side. Sadly, in 2014 after 49 years of marriage, Marion passed away, leaving Gary to be the sole spoiler of the grandchildren, carrying on a tradition he had started with daughter Theresa. Gary will be remembered for being an outgoing, generous father who couldn’t shake the travel bug that had accompanied him most of his life, expressing a desire to still travel the world even in his last days.

On Monday, January 14, 2019, Gary was reunited with his bride, Marion, after battling several health complications at the St. Cloud Hospital. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of 49 years, Marion; brother, Edward Paul, and sisters, Dorothy Benedict and Jenell Hoff.

Gary is survived by his daughter, Theresa Keller of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren, Wayne Keller, Jessica Keller, and Keith James, all of Alexandria; great-granddaughter, Brooke James, and brother, Glen Herrlinger of Cumberland, WI.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 11 AM at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria with visitation one hour prior to the service at 10 AM. Inurnment to follow at a later date at Camp Ripley.