Gary Grant Colby

Gary Grant Colby, age 65, of Osseo, WI, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, with his loving wife, son, and daughter by his side, following a short battle with cancer.

Gary was born in Eau Claire, WI, on March 1st 1960 to Grant and Agnes (Cox) Colby. He is the youngest of three siblings. Gary graduated from Osseo-Fairchild with the class of 1978. Gary was a 3-sport athlete throughout his high school career. He played basketball, football and track with a state football championship in his senior year.

Basketball took him to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, which he later transferred and graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stout with his Bachelor of Science in "Industrial Technology." While attending Stout, he continued his love for basketball. Gary started his career at Jim Carter Ford for a short period of time. He then moved on to work at Menards, with Ashley Furniture Industries to follow. At both companies he excelled at his position as a SR Real Estate Manager, which included frequent travel. He retired in 2020 after 23 years at Menards, and 18 years at Ashley.

In retirement, his goal was to be able to plan his own day while focusing on maintaining rental properties. Gary and Heather owned and operated the family business, Colby's Florist, where you would often see him behind the scenes. Gary was very dedicated to his work and his involvement in the Osseo community.

Throughout the years he was on the Osseo Merchant's Board. After retiring, he was on the planning commission board for the city council and was recently elected as a City of Osseo council member. Gary's love for sports continued on into his later years with bar league slow pitch softball, city league basketball, Wednesday men's golf, and officiated boys varsity football for 11 years. Halle's senior year of high school, she begged him to step up and take the head coach position for her Varsity basketball team. He created a competitive but fun environment for all of the girls. Gary first met his wife, Heather, in 1993. Together they had a son, Grant, and a daughter, Halle. He was known for his strong work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, his love for Lake Holcombe and his family. Gary was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved spending every weekend in the summers with them at the lake as well as hunting every fall. Gary was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He loved to provide wisdom, guidance, and was a pillar of strength for his family.

Gary is survived by his wife, Heather of 31 years; children, Grant (Presley) Colby and Halle Colby; grandchildren, Reese "crazy baby" and Rhett "Rhettster" Colby. He is continually survived by his brother, Rollin (Joyce) Colby; father and mother-in-law; Larry (Pat) Smith, sister-in-law; Stacy (Virgil) Holden; nieces, Wendy, Jennifer, Julie and Victoria; nephews, Barry and Jeffery; Godson, Josh Anderson, and countless other family members and friends.

Gary is proceeded in death by his parents; Grant and Agnes (Cox) Colby; sister, Rebecca Schroeder; nephew, Jason Colby and best friend; John "Moose" Anderson.

Visitation will be held at United Church of Christ in Osseo from 5:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday, June 11th.

Service will be held at United Church of Christ at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 12th. with burial in the Osseo Cemetery.

Online condolences can be left at www.andersonfhaugusta.com