Gary Wandrey, age 75, passed away surrounded by family August 8, 2024 in Owatonna, MN.
Friends greeted the family from 4:00-7:00 PM Monday, August 12, 2024, at Brick-Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road, Owatonna, MN) and one hour prior to the funeral Mass at the church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary was recited at 3:45 PM at the funeral home on Monday.
Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:00 AM Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl (9946 SE 24th Avenue, Owatonna). Military honors were provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit.
Gary was born November 9, 1948, the second child of Alfred and Thedora (Valentyn) Wandrey. He attended St. Mary's School through 8th grade, he attended Dodge Center High School, Foothill High School (Bakersfield, CA), Brainerd High School and Owatonna High School.
He joined the US Army April 3, 1967. September 1967 he was sent to Vietnam serving through September 1968. He returned to Ft. Lewis near Tacoma, Washington. In July 1970 he served in Germany, Vietnam in 1971, and in March 1972 was wounded and returned to the states. He served until December 1980. In 1985, he returned to the military, joining the Army Reserves until retiring in 1993 with 21 years served.
July 9,1983, he married the love of his life Rita (Rysavy) Wandrey, together they had two children.
Gary worked as a truck driver with many area companies including Norseman Trucking, Waseca; Dietrich Trucking, New Ulm and Johnson Bros. Trucking, Waseca. He retired from Gallea Transfer, Owatonna, with 21 years of service.
He was a 3rd & 4th degree life member of the Owatonna Knights of Columbus; life member of V.F.W., Owatonna and Purple Heart Society. He was a Quilt of Valor recipient, May 2024.
Gary enjoyed camping, hunting, trap shooting, participating in the Big Island Rendezvous, and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Gary is survived by his wife Rita; children, Tricia (James) Edmonson, Kellie (Thomas) Mabin, Gary S. Wandrey, Regina (Keith) Hawk, Jamie (Jessica) Wandrey, Holly (John) Anderson and Jonathon (Teresa) Wandrey; 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; siblings, Brian (Nan) Wandrey, Allienne (Odean) Haarstad, Sandy Beaudoin, Dennis (Debbie) Wandrey, Dianne (Freddie) Engelhart, Greg Wandrey, LaRayne Wandrey and Patty Wandrey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Thedora Wandrey; brothers, Alfred Wandrey, Richard Wandrey and Roger Wandrey and sister Pamela (Wandrey) Bowe; grandson, Trever Kelling; niece, Belinda Demming; father and mother-in-law, Jerry & Roselyn Rysavy; brother-in-law, David Rysavy and sister-in-law, Gail (Borchert) Rysavy.
In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the American Cancer Society, Sacred Heart Church, Owatonna or Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Litomysl.
In Gary’s words, “THERE YOU GO”.
