Gary Bruce Van Slyke

Gary Bruce Van Slyke, 83, of McGregor, passed away Sunday February 12, 2023, at the Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin.

Gary was born on November 16, 1939 in Aitkin to Bruce and Mary Lee (Woods) Van Slyke.  He grew up in Thor Township and moved to following the death of his father where he graduated from Duluth Central in Class of '57.  

He attended Minneapolis School of Business for computer programing. 

After graduation he worked for the Van Slyke family saw mill in McGregor, before attending the Minneapolis School of Business for Computer Programing.

Gary served in the United States Air Force Reserve and was a member of the United States National Guard retired members Shooting Club.

Gary worked for several Minneapolis businesses, including Western Oil, May Brothers, and Northwestern Drug, helping them set up their computer operations.  In 1969 he opened a Ski-Doo dealership in McGregor.  He went back to computer work  in 1973 for Schwan's Sales in Marshall where he set up their product inventory and payroll systems.  He moved to Half Moon Bay, California, where he began his career at Honeywell.  He moved to Minneapolis Honeywell General Offices and became their program manager, OASIS, and installed computer systems and software for Honeywell branch offices across the United States.  In 2000 with reorganization of Honeywell, he was transferred to Tempe, Arizona, where he was in charge of installation of phone systems in Honeywell offices.

Upon retirement from Honeywell, Gary became a school bus driver for the Dysart School system where he drove bus for special needs students and preschoolers for 13 years. 

Gary married Linda Sather Hansen on January 26, 1985, in Columbia Heights.  

Gary's was a member of the Roadrunners Prospecting Club, the Cowboy Action Shooting Club, and was interested in jewelry making, gem and mineral hunting, and travel.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gerald Van Slyke; brother-in-law, Don Sather.

Gary is survived by his loving wife, Linda Van Slyke of McGregor; children, Ann Marie (Hassan) Aslam of London, England, David Van Slyke of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Aaron (Amy) Hansen of Shakopee, and Greg (JoAnn) Frazier-Hansen of Monticello; grandchildren, Isabella Aslam and Lorena and Rhettland Hansen, sister Lee Billington of Glendale, Arizona; brothers-in-law, Bob Sather of McGregor, Lee (Kim) Sather of McGregor, and Curt (Diane) Sather of McGregor; friend Tom Billington of McGregor; many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Services will be Friday, February 24th at 2 PM at Grace Lutheran Church, McGregor.  Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  Military Honors will be provided by McGregor V.F.W. Larson Deneen Post #2747 and Dale Wayrynen American Legion Post #23.  Internment will be in Pine Needle Cemetery, Shamrock Township.  To sign the guestbook online, go to: http://www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with McGregor Funeral Home and Cremation Service, McGregor.

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