Michael G. "Mike" Gag

Michael George Gag was born in New Ulm, MN August 3,1939 to Melvin and Norma (Macho) Gag. He made his final journey home November 1, 2022 and is dearly missed. Mike married the love of his life, Mary Rose (Weldon) in 1963. He is survived by his wife of 59 years and their four children; John (Jenny) Gag of New Ulm, Katie (Ken) Russell of Fargo, Sue (Neil) Turner of Monticello and Steve (Michelle) Gag of New Ulm along with 13 grandchildren: Kyle Gag, Taylor (Austin) Grussendorf, Connor, George & Charlie Gag; Sarah (Diedrich) Russell-Harms, Michael Russell; Claire (Tyler) Hauser, Katherine Bastian; and Jenny, Rylee, Madeline & Joey Gag. Mike leaves behind his sister Judy (Marlyn) Sellner, brothers Loren (Vonnie) Gag & Al (Phyllis) Gag along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. He also leaves behind unofficial family members Irena, Sergei, Dasha, & Timothy Soboleva and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and many aunts and uncles.
After graduation from Cathedral High School, he attended college at Mankato State University, then Dunwoody Technical College graduating with a degree in HVAC. He worked in Minneapolis at the Metropolitan Stadium, the "Met" but later returned to his hometown to rejoin the family business, Gag Sheet Metal. Eventually he bought the shop with his brother Loren, later becoming the sole owner. GSM continues to be a family business, with John and Steve representing the 4th generation, making their father proud. While working at the shop, he and his brother Al ventured into apartment rentals and Valley Redi-Mix. During this time Mike also enlisted in the Army Reserves, first going to school to become an aircraft mechanic and later to Officer Training School. In basic training, he was one of the few to qualify as "expert" with the M1 rifle, the top rank marksmanship that the army awards. His experiences as a platoon leader, Company Commander, PLO officer, Assistant Brigade Supply Officer and Brigade Supply Officer were challenging, informative and enjoyable. He found his training for the Alaskan mission the most challenging and had mixed emotions on the training for riot control against fellow Americans. Mike was proud to call himself an Army Veteran. He completed his service career after 23 years as a Major.
Mike has lived a full life! There was always something interesting to try, to learn, to invest his time in. His community involvement included active membership with the Boy Scouts for a great part of his life, acting as Scoutmaster, a board member and District Chairman. He was proud to hand the Eagle Award to his son Steve. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus for over 60 years and enjoyed attending for many years with his father until Mel passed away. He has made a difference serving as a member of the New Ulm Lions Club for 32 years. He also served on the Wanda Gag Home board and enjoyed giving tours of the home and pulling the Wanda Gag float in numerous parades. He never said no when asked to serve for an organization.
He was proud of his First Place recognition at the Inventor's Congress in 2000 and continued to invent new things. There was never a time he wasn't thinking of a better way or an improvement for any process.
One of Mike's fondest accomplishments includes the complete construction of his first home, handling all steps with the exception of the electrical work and digging the foundation himself. He loved to travel. His favorite times were bringing his family on many trips from coast-to-coast across the United States in a small travel trailer or their mini-motorhome. These memorable trips to oceans, world fairs, The Grand Ole Opry, amusement parks, national parks and zoos lasted a lifetime for all involved. Later he and his wife enjoyed trips to international locations with scuba diving in Hawaii, testing his Spanish in Mexico or German in Germany, trips to Belize and more countries than can be listed here.
He loved his dogs Lucky, Honey, Britt, Cookie,Teddy and Bear who were his companions over the years. Even though he loved his puppies, Mike also enjoyed hunting elk, deer and pheasant in Montana, Colorado and Minnesota.
Music has been a big part of his life and we all know he definitely marched to the beat of his own drum. Our family played 60's music in Dad's room at Oak Hills Care Center where he spent his final days with the caring staff there. 60's music includes some of his favorites. Those songs represented how he lived: life with his Brown Eyed Girl, his devotion to My Home Town, his time as a Soldier Boy, his enjoyment of Everyday People. Growing up he listened to his dad, Mel Gag, play trumpet and Norma Gag play the family organ. Later he danced in the Shuhplattlers, going to festivals and parades to perform in his lederhosen and clogs. There was always a stack of records to play at the house, heavy on brass bands because Mike played the trumpet, popular musicals, and wonderful Christmas music. His favorite way to wake up kids for church on Sundays was to choose a Johnny Helget record played at full volume. It's hard to sleep through concertina music.
At every wedding he took turns dancing with his wife, Mary Rose, and daughters Katie and Sue as well as others who he felt needed a spin around the floor. His motto about being a good dancer: Keep your arms up and smile, and no one will know if you missed a step.
Mike certainly knew how to keep his hands up and smile looking for the positive and never dwelling on the negative. That outlook allowed him to fight through 23 years of surgeries and treatments.
Together, Mike and Mary Rose built a life of love, humor, music, and travel. They've made many friends along the way, with Dad initiating a conversation with strangers who sometimes became new friends and family. Mary Rose has often said that he would take the shirt off his back to give to a stranger who needed it. He was someone who did the right thing because it was the right thing to do.
Mike will be sadly missed.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm. Innichment will follow in the Catholic Cemetery Columbarium in New Ulm where the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard will provide full military honors.
Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2022 at the Minnesota Valley Funeral Home – NORTH CHAPEL in New Ulm. Visitation will continue from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the North Chapel.
To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.
His family wants to thank the staff at Allina Health Hospice and Oak Hills Living Center for the respectful and kind care they provided Mike. Memorials are preferred to Allina Health Hospice, Oak Hills Living Center, Boy Scouts of America Troop 25 or the New Ulm Humane Society.
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