Gary Vossen

Gary Vossen 65, of Willmar, died Friday, February 26th at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer.  His funeral will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, March 3rd at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar with interment in Fairview Cemetery.  There will be a visitation from 5-7 pm, Tuesday, March 2nd at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar.  There will not be a visitation at the church.  www.hafh.org

Gary was born April 21, 1955, in Willmar, the son of Raymond and Valborg (Frieberg) Vossen.  He graduated from Willmar High School on June 7, 1973.  Following high school, on June 13, 1973, he started his 42-year career with BNSF RR.  On August 4, 1973, he was united in marriage to Marlene Knudsen.  To this marriage four children were born; Julie, Brian, Bradley, and Karna.

On November 12, 1988, he married Kathleen Richter Palmer in Las Vegas.  They lived in Willmar and he continued working for BNSF, retiring in 2015.

Gary was a hard worker who also enjoyed camping, barbecuing, riding motorcycle, hunting and spending time caring for his yard.  He had a wonderful sense of humor, usually at the expense of someone else but always in good nature.  Gary and Kathy enjoyed their long tradition of summer camping trips with their children and now with their children and grandchildren.  They also enjoyed several NASCAR trips in Las Vegas, Kansas City and Daytona and especially their retirement trip to Hawaii.  Gary loved speed and cherished the experience when he was able to drive a car at Richard Petty Driving Experience in Las Vegas as well as a sprint car in Knoxville, IA.

Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Kathy; children: Julie (and Chad) Gregoire of Cottonwood; Brian (and Cheryl) Vossen of Colorado Springs, CO; Bradley Vossen of Watkins and Karna (and Brandon) Kleven of Eden Valley; eight grandchildren: Evan Gregoire, Breann (and Sam) Montgomery, Bailey and Bridgette Vossen, Addison and Isabella Vossen, and Logan and Khloey Kleven.  Also surviving are his siblings: Don Vossen of Plymouth; Shirley (and Jerry) Cherry of Bayport; Gene Vossen of Des Moines, IA; Char (and Dave) Helmuth of Atwater; brothers-in-law: Dick (and Sherry) Carlson of Duluth; Larry Richter of Clearwater; Gene (and Karen) Richter of St. Cloud; Steve (and Dina) Richter of Hastings and sister-in-law, Sachiko Richter of St. Cloud, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kendra Anne Kleven; brothers: Arnie (and Shirley) Vossen, Jerry (and Carole) Vossen; sisters, Karen Carlson and Marilyn Vossen; mother and father-in-law, LeRoy and Genevieve Richter; brothers-in-law, Thomas and David Richter; sister-in-law, Lydia Vossen and nephews, Paul and Ken Vossen.

The family would like to thank Rice Hospice for their compassionate care.

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