Gary Robert Huntley

Gary Huntley, of Montevideo, died Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Centracare – St. Cloud Hospital at the age of 70.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 1:00 PM at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montevideo.  Pastor Donald S. McKee will officiate, and burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 13, 2022, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Anderson – TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Gary Robert Huntley was born February 16, 1952, in Starbuck MN to Vernon and Iris (Weingarth) Huntley. He was baptized in Hancock, MN. In his early life, Gary’s family lived in Hancock before moving to Montevideo, MN. He was confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Montevideo. Gary attended High School at Montevideo Senior High School, where he graduated in 1970. While in high school, Gary met the love of his life, Barb (Kranz). The young couple was united in marriage July 18, 1970, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo. They had two children, Mike and Kim, and made their home in Montevideo.

Gary enlisted in the National Guard in 1971 and served 6 years. He was a part of the Montevideo National guard field artillery with the FDC unit, earning the rank of E5 along with honors for his marksmanship.

Gary worked in the manufactured housing industry for over 40 years. He retired from American Surplus & Manufacturing, home of Ice Castle Fish Houses in 2018.

Gary was deeply loved and cherished in the community, and by his friends and family. He will be remembered for his charm and wit, and by the lives he has touched. Gary loved watching his kids’ and, more recently, grandkids’ from the sidelines at baseball, football and hockey games, wrestling tournaments, and school plays. When not attending one of his grandkid’s events, there was a good chance Gary, with Barb often by his side, was driving the fairways at area golf courses. He never missed a Wednesday or Saturday morning round of golf with his close buddies. Gary loved the outdoors, and especially looked forward to his hunting and snowmobiling outings with his family and friends. He was excited to enjoy his new Ski-Doo snowmobile this coming winter, which, to those who had ever ridden a trail with him, would come as a surprise, as Gary was strictly an Artic Cat man. Retirement did not slow Gary down when it came to staying active. The ultimate handyman, Gary always answered calls for advice with home improvement projects and automobile issues, often with in-person visits filled with know-how and labor payable with a Bud Light. Gary was an active member of the Montevideo Area Snowdrifters, Mill Creek Gun Range, Montevideo American Legion Post 59, and Our Saviors Lutheran Church.

Gary was looking forward to the marriage of his oldest grandchild, Kerri ‑ to fiancé Will, in the coming weeks. The upcoming wedding had Gary so excited, that he actually enjoyed a morning of shopping with Barb – looking for the perfect suit for the big day. Gary cherished any opportunity to spend time with loved ones.

Gary was never one to just open up and be the center of attention in the room, but you always knew he was there, waiting to tell a funny story or give advice when needed most. He supported everyone through some of the toughest moments in their lives and was there for the brightest ones too.

Gary was a best friend to everyone he met. He showed up and was there to support the people who needed him the most and was incredibly honorable because of it. He would, at the drop of a hat, rush to be there even for the smallest accomplishments. Gary never judged anyone he came across; he welcomed new family and friends any chance he got. He treated everyone with the highest respect, and although he may not have always gotten it in return, Gary is a person and a man anyone will be able to look up to for many years to come.

Gary’s spirit will always be felt in the cool mornings of hunting season. His tree stands and trails are filled with his footprints from the past and the echoes of his cheers. His golf bag will still remember his shoulders and their long trips to Arizona with his beautiful soulmate. He was a one-of-a-kind man, father, grandfather, brother, and best friend.

Gary is survived by his wife of 52 years Barb; son Mike (Lori) Huntley, Montevideo, daughter Kim (Matt) Kane, Delano; grandchildren: Kelsey (special friend Brandon) Freeman, Hutchinson, Rilie (special friend Logan) Huntley, St. Cloud, Hunter Freeman, Montevideo, Ragan (special friend Cole) Huntley, Clara City, Kadin Huntley, Sioux Falls, SD, Calin and McKenna Huntley, Montevideo, Kerri (fiancé Will) Penke, Apple Valley, Nolan and Drew Kane, Delano; sisters Bonnie (Wayne) Sanderson, Frederic, WI, Cindy Staab, Mounds View, Pat (Jeff) Moot, Crosby, Pam (fiancé Steve) Fagen, Mounds View, Harriet (fiancé Lacy) Huntley, Buffalo; brother in-laws Steve Kranz, Long Lake, Brian (Carolyn) Kranz, Eau Claire, WI; sister in-law Karla Larson, St. Louis Park; step-mother Vida Huntley, Hancock; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Iris and Bill Miltz, Vernon Huntley; Father in-law Charles Kranz, Mother in-law Phyllis Kranz; brother Joe Huntley; sister Rosanne Helle; sister in-law Karen Kranz; nephew Anthony Lee; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.