Obituary

Gary Alan Renstrom, 78, passed away in Arizona on Thursday, October 24, 2024, with his wife, Jeanette, by his side. He fought cancer for many years with courage and grace. Gary was born March 16, 1946, to Leroy and Betty Renstrom. He grew up in the Bemidji, Minnesota, area. After graduating from Bemidji High School, Gary attended Bemidji State University. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in April 1966, where he worked on fighter jets as an electronic instrument technician specializing in auto pilot and flight control systems. Gary met and later married Jeanette Olson in Fertile, Minnesota, on June 29, 1968. After his discharge from the Air Force in December 1971, Gary worked for federal civil service for the Air National Guard, continuing to work on fighter jets. In 1979, Gary and Jeanette purchased and ran a grocery store in Warren, Minnesota. In 1983, they moved to their lake home near Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where they lived for 40 years. During this time, Gary owned a construction company and later managed a door manufacturing company. Gary retired from the Air National Guard in 1989. For the last sixteen years, Gary and Jeanette have spent their winters in Arizona. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, motorcycling and travel. He had a great wit and sense of humor. Survivors are his wife, Jeanette, sister, Sharon (Gary) Davidson of Byron, Minnesota, 5 nephews and their wives, 25 great nieces and nephews and 4 great-great nephews. Gary’s final rest will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.