Gary "Goose" Hess

Gary Lee Hess, the son of Kenneth and Sara (Ryan) Hess, was born on February 14, 1955, in Sleepy Eye, MN.  He graduated from Fairfax High School in the class of 1973.  He married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Rebecca Schweiss on April 23, 1977 at St. Andrew’s Church, Fairfax. Together they raised two children, Paul and Emily. Gary worked most of his career as a salesman for Dubois Chemical and currently with Troy Chemical.

Gary loved sports.  He was more than an average sports fan; he was an athlete, coach, and official. Gary played baseball in high school and then Amateur Baseball with the Fairfax Cardinals.  After he retired from playing, Gary managed the Redwood Falls Red Birds for a few years before returning to the Fairfax Cardinals for 19 years.  During his career, Gary took his teams to multiple state tournaments.  He was also instrumental in organizing and running the Minnesota Twins nights held at Memorial Park in Fairfax.  Because of Gary’s love for the game of baseball and his contributions to Amateur Baseball, Gary was inducted into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

When Gary was not coaching or playing baseball, he was officiating high school sports.  For the past 46 years, Gary officiated high school football, taking part in regular season, and post-season games.  He also liked to go fishing and took many fishing trips to Canada with family and friends.  Gary had a special bond when it came to fishing with his grandchildren.  Together they participated in Bass tournaments and leagues around area lakes and they loved hanging out at Christopherson Bait and Tackle. Gary was always supportive of his children and grandchildren and was their biggest fan.  He loved spending time with them and was very proud of their accomplishments.  Gary will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gary L. Hess died on Monday, February 13, 2023, at his home in Alexandria at the age of 67.  He is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Rebecca Hess of Alexandria; children, Paul (Nicole) Hess of St. Augusta and Emily (Paul) Regnier of Alexandria; six grandchildren: Taylor, Joe, and Andrew Hess; Ella, Jack, and Will Regnier; sisters, Linda (Leon) Buboltz and Jill Nacheiner; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ronny Hess and Dennis Hess; sisters, Barbara Heyer and Lori Swezey; and an infant sister.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.

A visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023, from 4-7 PM at Anderson Funeral Home and 1-hour prior to the service.

Interment will be in Kinkead Cemetery.