Gary Dean Bregenzer

1940 - 2023

Gary Dean Bregenzer, 83, residing in Clearwater, MN, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at Lakeside Oasis Hospice Care Center in Buffalo, MN.

Gary was born September 18, 1940 in Monroe, WI, to Michael F. and Eldora E. (Boeck) Bregenzer. His family moved to Minnesota when he was in grade school and made Monticello their home. Gary spent many years as a grocery manager with Maus Foods as well as several other positions within the community until his full retirement in 2000.

Upon graduating from Monticello High School in 1958, Gary enlisted in the United States Air Force. He was stationed in both Oklahoma and Michigan and after completing his four-year term, he and his good buddies Pat and Pete spent time traveling the U.S. and Mexico together.

Gary married his wife Corrine (Heath) in 1965, they had two children, daughter Dawn and son Michael. They had many great adventures as a family including a lengthy and memorable motorhome trip out to the West Coast and back as well as a camping trip up the entire length of the North Shore into Canada. Many weekends were spent with friends camping and fishing at their lake home near Alexandria, MN. Family was very important to Gary and he instilled that importance in both of his children, who also went on to enjoy many of the same adventures with their own families.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and son Michael.

He is survived by his wife Corrine and daughter Dawn, grandsons Michael and Marshall Bregenzer, sister Mary (Robert) Johnson and brother Michael (Linda) Bregenzer, along with several nieces and nephews.

Gary loved everything outdoors, from hunting and fishing to gardening and watching/feeding the birds. He was an avid reader and loved to spend his afternoons driving around the countryside or enjoying the shores of Locke Lake and the mighty Mississippi River.

A celebration of Gary will be held at the Monticello VFW on Saturday, November 25th from 12-3pm, please join us!