Dr. Gary B. Gibbons

Dr. Gary B. Gibbons

Dr. Gary Bernal Gibbons was born on March 2, 1933 in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. He graduated from Lakota High School in 1951. He later received a degree in Agricultural Education from North Dakota State University where he minored in chemistry and zoology. Following graduation from NDSU he served in the US Army for two years and spent 18 months in Korea. After returning to the US he married his university sweetheart, Barbara (Bobby) Vaughn. In 1963 Gary graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. He and Bobby then made a move to suburban Minneapolis, MN where Gary was employed at a small animal hospital. In 1965 he built and opened his own small animal hospital and eventually owned and operated three practices in the Twin Cities. Gary and Bobby joyfully started their family by adopting three children, Michael, Patrick and Theresa. Gary’s wife, Bobby, passed away in 1994 as a result of pancreatic cancer and he retired from veterinary medicine in 1995.

In 1995 Gary married Glenna Jackson Wefald who had three adult children, Joanne, Michael and Paul. Gary and Glenna purchased a lake home near Alexandria, MN where they lived for 20 years. They enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Naples, FL during their 29 years of marriage.

Gary was a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, Metropolitan Animal Association, and a life member of both the OSU Alumni Association and the NDSU Alumni Association.

Gary enjoyed music throughout his lifetime, singing in concert choir in both high school and college. He later developed a love of barbershop harmony and sang in a barbershop chorus for many years. He was part of a men’s small group, The Chordsmen, that sang at church services, funerals and other functions in Alexandria. Gary held countless leadership roles in various organizations and was a charter member of the Golden Valley Rotary Club. He was also a devoted volunteer with Minnesota Amateur Hockey and USA Hockey for twenty-five years.

Gary was an active church member throughout his life, most recently at Word Alone Fellowship in Alexandria. He enjoyed committees, Bible studies and singing in choirs and small groups.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Bernal and Emma Gibbons and a sister, Jeannine Watson.

He is survived by his loving wife Glenna Gibbons of Otsego, MN; his children Michael (Leslie) Gibbons of Chaska, MN; Patrick (Kimberly) Gibbons of Lakeville, MN; Theresa Gibbons of Lake Worth, FL; step-children Joanne (John) Jacobson of Ramsey, MN; Michael Wefald of Chanhassen, MN; Paul Wefald (Julie Gordan) of New Castle, CO.; grandchildren Jason Gibbons, Dallas Gibbons, Jack Gibbons, Jett Gibbons and Daniella Gibbons; grandchildren Daniel (Camille) Jacobson and Kari Jacobson (Antoine Gilbert); great-grandchildren Abram Gilbert, Araya Gilbert, Caleb Jacobson and Harper Jacobson.

Gary passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at the Guardian Angels Care Facility in Elk River, MN six days short of his 91st birthday.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to Mount Carmel Ministries, PO Box 579, Alexandria, MN 56308, (https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/give/), American Cancer Society, (ACS donate online), or Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley, 845 Meadow Lane, Golden Valley, MN 55422.

A memorial service will be held Friday, March 8, 2024 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at Elk River Lutheran Church, 729 Main Street NW, Elk River, MN. A family burial will be held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN.

Services will be livestreamed and may be viewed by accessing YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GarBOS-YTU4 or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/435468912245747?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D or by clicking the blue button below service information.

Serving the family is Dare's Funeral Home of Elk River, MN. 763-441-1212. www.daresfuneralhome.com.

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