Obituary of Gary Wicklander

Gary Sherman Wicklander of Isanti, died on Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN at the age of 70. He was born on March 20, 1940 to Herbert and Barbara Ann Wicklander in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After graduating from Columbia Heights High School, Gary spent two years in the U.S. Army, serving in Italy. After his discharge, Gary returned home, married and had two sons, Robin and Daniel. Gary worked for the railroad in the early 1960's and joined the Minneapolis Fire Department in 1967. Gary met and married the love of his life, Barbara Jarson, in 1980. Gary not only gained a wife but two lovely daughters. He often said God was giving him another chance to raise kids and blessed him with two daughters. Gary loved people, kids and sports. He truly had a servant's heart and would go out of his way to help others. He loved to make people laugh and make them feel special. After 30 years of service with the Minneapolis Fire Department, Gary retired in 1997 and enjoyed winters in AZ enjoying the sun and playing golf. Gary was a member of North Isanti Baptist Church. The church and his family were at the core of his life. Gary was active in the youth mentoring programs, umpiring the church softball league, helping in the toddler nursery for MOPS and entertaining the kids at the yearly carnivals for the Wednesday night kid programs. Gary loved his dog, T-Bone, and was often known to drive through McDonalds to buy T-Bone the $1.00 special of the day. He is survived by his wife Barbara Jarson Wicklander of Isanti, sons Robin (Lynn) Wicklander and Daniel Wicklander all of Minneapolis, daughters Tammy (Jason) Dardis of Seattle and Danielle (Tim) LaFleur of Brandon, South Dakota, grandchildren Taylor, Kelsey, Truan and Pyper, and sister Linda (Ken) Rhody of Minneapolis. Gary was preceded in death by father and mother, Herbert and Barbara Ann Wicklander and nephew, Jeffrey Rhody. .