Gerard "Gary" Herges

Gary was born on April 19, 1954 at St. CloudHospital to Edmund (Ed) and Josephine (Jo) Herges. He lived in Foley, MN with his family and attended Foley Schools. Gary graduated high school in 1972. During his high school years, Gary helped with his family’s business, Herges Meats in Foley and Waite Park. After graduating, he attended Moorhead State University majoring in biology and chemistry. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1976 and began working at Fargo Clinic as a Medical Technologist. 

Gary met Debra Denfeld in high school, and they married on July 19, 1975 in Mayhew Lake, MN. In 1980, he accepted a position as a Medical Technologist at Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN where he spent the rest of his career, retiring in 2013. One of Gary's greatest joys was being a father, which he became in 1976 when he and Deb welcomed their first child, Nathan and in 1979 their son, Mathew joined the crew. They completed their family four years later in 1983 when their daughter, Amanda was born. Gary was devoted to sharing his interests with and teaching his children. As a family they enjoyed camping, baseball, golfing, fishing, playing cards, watching movies, and listening to music. As his children grew, he looked forward to the annual fishing trip with his sons and friends each May. In his recent years, Gary spent any time he could adoring and spending time with his grandchildren. Gary was instrumental in teaching all of his grandchildren to fish. Many sunfish were hooked, cleaned, and later fried for a delicious meal that everyone devoured. On the annual cabin trip, in late August, with children and grandchildren, he would spend hours boating, agate hunting, and playing cards. 

Family was the center of Gary's life and he frequently acknowledged the many blessings his parents and siblings brought to his life. He and his brothers and sisters enjoyed close relationships. He liked spending time on the lake boating, skiing, and fishing at his family’s lake cabin on Pearl Lake near Rockville, MN. He looked forward to planning the annual June golf trip with his siblings and their spouses. He was further blessed in his marriage to Debra with welcoming her parents, siblings and their spouses, and all of their nieces and nephews. He liked entertaining family and friends with his many jokes and one-liners. 

On his own, Gary loved to run or swimming, was an avid reader and life-long learner, and loved correctly answering jeopardy questions. For their 25th wedding anniversary, Gary and Deb took the first of many trips together that launched their passion for travel. They shared many new experiences including exploring Hawaii, Jamaica, New England, and Florida.

He is survived by wife Deb, children Nathan (Mary) of North Branch, MN; Mathew (Gretchen) of Alexandria, MN; Amanda (Jeff) Herges of Lynnwood, WA; grandchildren, Mya Herges, Ben Herges, Olivia Herges, Owen Herges, Lily Herges and Alexander Herges. He is also survived by siblings, Kathleen Schwieters, Eileen (Bill) Kampa, Lynn Latterell, Mary Lou (Guy) Holt, Richard (Mary Kay Herges), and Jayna Herges (Steve Singer). Many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and friends. 

He is preceded in death by his grandson Andrew Gerard Herges, his parents Edmund and Josephine Herges, sister Doris Tadych, brother in laws Jerry Schwieters and Herb (Hub) Latterell. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM.