Gary Abraham

gary abraham

Gary Bruce Abraham, 71, of West Fargo, ND died in his home on October 8, 2010, after a long, courageous battle with cancer.  Gary, a long time resident of West Fargo passed away surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Gary was born August 3, 1939 in Fargo, ND.  He was the son of Clarence (Abe) & Lil Abraham.  His childhood years were spent in Fargo and Bismarck, ND.  He later moved to Cut Bank, MT, where he graduated from high school in 1957.  Gary returned to Fargo and served in the Air National Guard from 1957-1963.  During this time he also attended Dakota Business College graduating in 1960. 

Gary went on to work at Butler Machinery in the areas of computer processing and was a manager in the parts and services department.  In 1969, the family moved to Denver, CO where he was the Vice-President and General Manager of Professional Automation Group.  In 1971, they moved back to West Fargo where he became vice-president and general manager of Gremada Industries.  Gary was a loyal employee and spent 30 years with Gremada.  Gary was always concerned and cared about his employees.  He retired in 2001.

In 1961, he married Violet Kolle in Georgetown, MN.  They had three children.  They resided on the family farm near Felton, MN, then moved to West Fargo; Englewood, CO, and finally returned to West Fargo where they've lived for the past 40 years.  Gary was a member of the Am Vets, St. Andrew Lutheran Church and Sheyenne Red River Rodeo Club.  

Gary lived life to its fullest.  His first love was his family and spending time with his grandchildren.  He especially loved the time spent with them at the cabin and fishing off the pontoon.  Gary also enjoyed traveling with family and friends and spending his winters warming up at his winter home in Florida.  He had many exciting adventures while hunting, fishing, and skiing with friends and loved ones.  He was an active bowler and trap shooter.  Gary's love for his immediate and extended family will be remembered and cherished for many generations to come. Gary was often a man of few words.  He was a humble man that did not want to be acknowledged for the ways he touched many lives. 

Gary is survived by Violet his loving wife of 49 years.  His three children, Craig (Rose) Abraham, West Fargo; Michelle (Joseph) Morman, West Fargo; Heidi (Mike) McCarty, Girdwood, Alaska.  Grandchildren, Garett Abraham, Grand Forks; Paige (Rob) Anderson, Albertville, MN; Gretchen (Nick) Williams, Moorhead; Joshua, Heidi, Elijah and Luke Morman of West Fargo; Hunter, Logan and Gavin McCarty of Girdwood, Alaska, and his brother Brian (Andrea) Abraham of Horace.  He was very proud of his many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lillian Abraham, and sister Dawn Kessler. 

We will cherish his memory and celebrate his life.  He will be missed by the many who loved and knew him. 

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  1. Bismarck N.D
    .I am deeply saddened to learn of Gary’s death. He and my dad worked together at Butler Machinery for many years. Gary was a genuinely nice man, always with a ready smile.
    Dale

  2. Shawnee OKGary was my cousin and it seems like not long ago when I attended his wedding. I was one of the few cousins out of 25 that moved away from Minnesota
    and North Dakota
    . Gary was the only cousin who took the time to visit us here in Oklahoma. He was on a sales trip and and stopped in one evening and we were pleased. The fact that G&H Decoys factory was only 40 miles down the road, probably made no difference. There are a few people in this world that command respect by their presence. Gary’s father, Abe, and Gary were both that type of person. I asked an elderly gentleman once if he wanted to do anything over in his life—he said if you do it right the first time, you won’t want to do it over. Gary led a good life the first time. Smile and celebrate his good life.

  3. Joe, Michelle, and family- You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Gary sounded like he was a very awesome man. Keep his memories with you always. God Bless.

  4. Fargo, ND
    Vi and family,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you
    at this time of great loss.
    Gary was a wonderful man and will
    be missed by many.
    My deepest sympathy to all of you.
    Linda

  5. Surprise. azA great guy, great custermer, one of the boys, a gentelman at all times. It was great to know him.
    our best to the family
    J J & Sheri Schmidt
    West Fargo, ND

    Detroit Lakes, MN

    Surprise, AZ

  6. Lake Park MN
    Vi and family – I am so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. God bless you and your family.

    Bobbi Rehder
    (past empoyee of Molson Lake Lodge)

  7. Ottertail MN
    We were sad to see of your loving Husband, Father and Granfathers passing. We know that Our Loving Father has wrapped His Arms around Gary and taken him Home, to rest , Gary has fought hard and we know that He is at peace, and will be missed. We know how important family is to you all by watching you and Gary is proud also of what a wonderful family he had. God bless you all and know that God will carry you all through this difficult time.

  8. Robinson ND
    To Gary’s Family:
    We are very sorry to hear of his passing but know he is in no more pain. We knew of his illness through mutual friends. He will be missed by all that knew him. We had many long conversations with Gary when he and John would come to the Robinson area hunting with their grandkids. We ran the cafe, grocery store & bar for a few years and had many nice visits with them. We have not seen them in the past few years but we sure did miss them. Please accept our sympathy and thoughts. God Bless You All!!

  9. Grand Rapids MN
    Sending love and prayers to Vi, Michelle, Joe, Craig, Rose, Mike, Heidi, and all the kids. Gary was such a kind and gentle soul. He will be dearly missed. May you find peace knowing that he rests comfortably in the arms of Jesus.

    Don, Sheila, Jacob and Julie Anderson

  10. Gary you will greatly missed. It was an honor to know you and to have been able to work with you all those years at Gremada. I learned so much from you at work and out hunting that I would never be able to thank you enough. Sure have a lot of great memories from all the hunting trips.

    Bill


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