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Gary Wellner Obituary
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dodie Hoke, brother Richard Wellner and daughter Dawn Christoffersen.
He is survived by his wife Gail Franke Wellner; stepdaughter Wendy Woodley (Mike); brothers Ted (Myrna), Robert (Marlene), James (Janet); and sisters Pam Oldenburg (Gary) and Georgia Wellner. He was also the proud grandfather of Hayley and Hunter Hoaglund, Jackson Woodley, Joshua, Jonathan and Jacob Baxton and Alyssa Christoffersen.
Gary graduated from John Marshall High School, received his AA from Rochester Junior College and BS & MA from Winona State College. Gary taught in Prairie Du Chien, Wis., Metropolitan Junior College in Minneapolis and Anoka-Ramsey Community College for 38 years. He taught and coached many sports but was best known as a wrestling coach at ARCC.
He was an accomplished high school and college wrestler who later become a dedicated coach, mentor and advisor. Gary was a loyal devotee of the University of Minnesota wrestling program and proudly attended 37 NCAA wrestling tournaments in succession.
Since his cancer diagnosis in 2009, Gary founded a charity to fund pancreatic cancer research/treatment at the University of Minnesota. Memorials are preferred for pancreatic cancer research at www.Garysgift.net.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday Jan. 3, 2015 at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park, from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Gary Wellner
6 Entries
January 3, 2015
Prayers and sympathies to the Wellner family.
Brenda Tuttle Benson (Gail's classmate at John Marshall High School 1963)
Rick Ryan
December 28, 2014
I didn't know him, but wish I had. He sounds like a Great Soul.
Jim Rogers
December 27, 2014
A great guy that never, ever gave up. So glad to have had the privilege of knowing him.
Lois Hartman
December 27, 2014
Gary coached 2 of my sons in wrestling at AR and we became good friends. He was a tremendous coach and my sons respected him so much. Have wonderful memories of times shared with him & Gail at wrestling meets home and away. He fought this long tough battle with everything he had in him and that took the same courage he put on the wrestling mat!
Now *rest in peace* , Gary!....this match is done and you are a *winner*!!
My very deepest sympathy to Gail, Wendy and all Gary's family....
Much love & friendship, Lois & all the Hartmans
Jackie Bodick
December 27, 2014
Love and prayers to you and your family.
Robin Fedie
December 27, 2014
what a fighter, and positive influence to those battling cancer! A warrior who I will always remember! Gary will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers to Gail and all that loved him dearly.
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