Gary Durand

Gary Durand, 75, of Argyle, MN, died unexpectedly on Thursday, January 30, 2020, in his winter home in Bullhead City, AZ.

Gary Elwood Durand was born on August 16, 1944, in rural Oslo, MN, to Russell and Marion (Tinnes) Durand. His father passed away when Gary was only a year old, and Marion continued to raise him in Oslo, where he graduated from high school in 1962. He enlisted in the US Air Force that fall, and was stationed in Korea for thirteen months.On May 8, 1965, Gary was united in marriage to Diane LaFond, in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church; and he was honorably discharged from the military in 1966.

Gary worked for Marshall county for a number of years, retiring in 2012 after 31 years as the Director of Emergency Services. In addition to his full time job, Gary also kept busy as an Ag Inspector for the county and owned and operated Gopher Roadside Services. Even after retirement, he couldn't sit still, and took up a job cutting grass for the City of Argyle. He was a longtime member of Our Savior's Lutheran in Argyle; a past member of the Argyle Lions, the VFW, the Sportsman's, and the Eagles Clubs; was on the Argyle Fire Dept., and was a past-Commander of the Argyle American Legion. He spent his summers at the lake fishing, the fall was time for hunting, and his winters were spent in Arizona. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.\

Gary is survived by his wife of over 54 years, Diane; mother, Marion Durand; children, Shelly (Brad) Grochow of Mitchell, SD, Susie (Randy) Laurin of Grand Forks, ND, and Chad (Heidi) Durand of Moorhead, MN; grandchildren, Brady and Jenna Laurin, Carson, Cullen, and Oliver Durand; and sister, Jane (Carl) Osowski.

In addition to his father; Gary was preceded in death by his two siblings, Mavis (Susie) Durand, and Daryl Durand.
 

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, February 8, 2020, 10:30 AM, in Our Savior's Free Lutheran Church. Argyle, MN.
VISITATION: One hour prior to services at the church.
MILITARY HONORS: at the church; by the Minnesota Honor Guard, and the Argyle American Legion, Post #353.