Gary James Spies

Gary Spies, 82, of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, January 11, 2025.

Gary James Spies was born February 21, 1942, to George Christian and Laura Judith (Berg) Spies in Fergus Falls. He attended Lincoln Elementary School and Fergus Falls High School, graduating in 1960. He was proud to have earned an Honorary Degree from Fergus Falls Community College (MN State Community and Technical College).

On August 20, 1960, Gary married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Ferguson at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Fergus Falls.

In the 1970’s, Gary proudly took over the family business and became the owner of Service Food Market in Fergus Falls. He served as a board member of Ottertail Corporation (one of his greatest honors), Lake Region Healthcare, KLN, The Veden Charitable Trust, and many other organizations.

Throughout his life Gary enjoyed golfing, spending time with family, reading, hunting on his father’s pass, Tuesday morning breakfasts with his friends, and watching movies with his wife “Stubby”. He had many cherished moments at his family’s cottage on Ottertail Lake and he and Sharon’s cabin on East Battle Lake surrounded by family and friends. He believed that he was the most blessed man on earth.

Gary loved the town of Fergus Falls and all the people in it. He thought it was the best place in the world to live and visit. In his words it was “as good as it gets.” He made it his life’s work to help build a beautiful community for all its people to enjoy and thrive. He believed in sharing his love and compassion as well as spreading kindness and giving to those in need. He was a humble man who felt that the most success he had in life was the love for all those around him and felt blessed to have the opportunity to share his generosity. He often said, “when God was shaking his sugar shaker over the world, the cover came off and fell on him.”

His legacy will live on in each of the people he touched.

Preceding him in death were his parents, George and Laura Spies; sister, Mary Gail Coleman; an infant nephew, Brent Spies, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Sherman and Alice Ferguson.

Gary is survived by his wife, Sharon; his children, Shelly (Brian) Suckow, Lana (Tim) Johnson, and Amy King; grandchildren, Josh (Elizabeth) Suckow, Alison (Jared) Haecherl, Lydia (Kevin) Loranger, Claire (Darius) Suckow, Andrew (Therese) Johnson, Lauren (Will) Rader, Nicholas Johsnon, Kayla (Cass) Vigen, Max King, and Sam King; brother, David (Janice) Spies; brother-in-law, John Coleman; sister-in-law, Jodie (Sid) Wells; nieces and nephews, Thomas (Melaine) Coleman, Sarah Coleman, Sean (Hira) Coleman, Rachel (Alec) Robertson, Matthew (Julia) Spies, Jonathan (Erin) Spies, Allie (Jordan) Shepard, Emily Wells, and Hannah (Billy) Lammers Olson, and many cousins, great-grandchildren, and great-nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do what Gary would wish. To donate to your charity of choice.

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:00 p.m., Monday, January 20, 2025, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls with a visitation two-hours prior to the service.

Clergy: Father Joseph Korf, Father Lucho Palomino, Deacon Chuck Kampa and Deacon Dean Pawlowski

Interment: St. Otto’s Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN

Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral and Cremation in Fergus Falls.

Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com