Gary Robert Machan

Gary Robert Machan, 81 of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota passed away peacefully on Friday February 6, 2026, after a courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday, February 13, 2026, at Sunnybrook Community Church, 5601 Sunnybrook Dr., Sioux City, IA 51106. Pastor B.J. Van Kalsbeek will officiate. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery with Military Graveside Honors offered by the United States Army National Guard. Visitation, with the family present, will be from 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. Thursday, February 12th at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel with a Remembrance Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Gary Machan's name at Security National Bank, 325 Dakota Dunes Blvd, Dakota Dunes, South Dakota 57049.

Gary was born on April 9, 1944, in Portage, Wisconsin, the son of Robert and Hazel (Neugart) Machan. Gary graduated from Adams Friendship High School in 1962. He graduated from University of Wisconsin in May 1966 with BS in Meat & Animal Science and was a member of the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity.

Gary grew up in Friendship Wisconsin and worked alongside his father and brother at the family dairy farm. Upon graduating from University of Wisconsin, Gary started his long-standing career in the meat industry at Oscar Mayer in Madison, Wisconsin. He was then promoted to a hog buyer at Griggsville, Illinois followed by assignments at Winchester & Pittsfield, Illinois and promoted to Supervisor at Perry, Iowa. He managed Wiechman Pig Company in Fremont, Nebraska. In 1982 he became the procurement manager at IBP in Storm Lake, Iowa. In 1986, he was promoted to IBP headquarters in Dakota City, Nebraska. Gary finished his distinguished career as Vice President IBP/Tyson Foods in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota.

Gary was always a strong advocate for pork producers through his work with local pork producer organizations and the National Pork Producers Council.

Gary & Carlette Hanke were united in marriage on June 18, 1966, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Adams, Wisconsin. Born of this union were their beloved sons, Brian and Darin Machan.

Gary loved traveling with Carlette, Brian and Darin. They enjoyed their annual traditions of going to the Iowa State Fair, Wisconsin, Nebraska & Iowa State tailgates & football games, camping at state parks and NASCAR races. Gary, Brian & Darin enjoyed hunting & fishing trips with adventures to Alaska, Wyoming & Montana. Gary loved spending time with grandchildren: Josh, Peyton, Mason & Bailey, and cheering them on at their variety of activities. Gary & Carlette loved playing cards, especially Euchre. He cherished his lifelong friendships.

Survivors include his loving devoted wife of nearly 60 years Carlette-Rhea Machan of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; his son Brian Machan of Ankeny, Iowa; grandson Mason; granddaughter Bailey both of Ankeny, Iowa; grandsons Josh & Peyton Machan of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota; brother-in-law Bill Lewandowski of Wausau, Wisconsin; brother Tom Machan (Linda) of Coloma, Wisconsin; sister Vicki Hawkins (John) of Rochester, Minnesota; sister Jeanine Machan of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota; and nieces Amy (Stuart) Morelli; Sara (Steve) Messina; Emily (Todd Husak) Hawkins and Kristen (John) Deal, and nephew Mark (Tracy Glumich) Lewandowski.

Gary was preceded in death by his son Darin Machan, parents and Robert & Hazel Machan, his sister Mary Lewandowski and her daughter Melissa Lewandowski.

The Funeral Service on Friday will be livestreamed via the website of Sunnybrook Church: www.sunnybrookchurch.org