Gary Konechne

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iGLyYEEb_k
Gary Duane Konechne was born to Lester & JoAnn (Overweg) Konechne on October 25th, 1969, in Platte, SD. He joined six older siblings, Michael, Marvin, Carol, Merlin, Mark, and Rita. He then became a big brother to Kathey, Roger, Ron, Julie, Karen, and Jane. His childhood was spent on the homeplace where he learned how to be a man. His father was who he looked up to, he adored his mother, his brothers were his best friends and he loved to tease his sisters.
One night at the age of 16, he won a bet and asked a girl to dance. The rest was history and Gary and Lisa Marie were inseparable. Gary never did anything halfway; it was always full-speed ahead and 150%. He joined the National Guard, moved in with his brother at 17, and married the love of his life in 1988 at 19. From '90-92 the Lord blessed them by starting the family with two boys, Bryan and Joshua. One day in 1992, at a Franklin Graham crusade, he realized his need for a Savior. So, on that day he gave his life to Jesus and he was never the same. He dedicated his life to the Lord and decided to pursue him wholeheartedly.
After a Guard drill he realized HVAC would be a good field to provide for his family. So in the fall of '93 with two children at home and a wife, he furthered his education at MTI. For two years, he did chores in the early morning, went to school, then worked nights for a carpenter all while still being in the guard. During this time, Rachel '94 joined the family. He graduated from the HVAC program in 1995 with honors and bought their forever home that spring. Then being the man he was, in 1995, with a $2,000 loan from a good friend, he started Konechne Heating & Cooling. The next few years he worked like crazy to provide for his growing family. Over the years Rebekah '96, Jedidiah '99, Bethany '02, Liza '04, Sadie '06, Seth '08 and Levi '10 joined the family. Ten children in all, but no matter how big the family grew, he always had time for each one of them and always provided for his family.
Gary loved to talk about the Lord, his family and livestock. He loved well and was a man who didn't live on the sidelines. He spent his mornings in fellowship with his wife and the Lord drinking coffee and watching the sun come up Until the boys woke up and then it was chore time. Evenings were spent as a family, playing games, in his room reading books such as Call of the Wild, watching Gunsmoke re-runs or just laughing. Then the nights always ended in prayer time and bedtime stories. The body of Christ and the fellowship of believers was precious to him. His girls were his princesses, his wife his queen, and he taught his boys to be men. To his family he was their Hero He left big shoes to fill.
He passed away unexpectedly at the age of 53, too soon for his family, but yet in God's perfect timing. He was preceded in death by his father Lester, father-in-law Jake, his brother Mark, nephew Benjamin, and infant children and grandchildren he never got to meet.
Gary is survived by his wife Lisa of 34 wonderful years, mother JoAnn (step-father Jerry), mother-in-law Carole Backes, eleven siblings, ten children and their five spouses, nine grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Gary was rooted deeply in his faith and shared it frequently. We know where he is and all who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior will see him again.
Funeral Services for Gary Konechne age 53 of Platte, will be held on Friday March 3 at 1:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, Platte, SD. Burial will follow in the Torrey Lake Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Gary's life with sharing of memories at the church on Thursday night at 7 PM.
https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/WBTPQS8K23HYWLGW