Thief River Falls – Gary Battleson, of Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Thief River Falls, at the age of 80.
Gary Wayne Battleson was born on November 5, 1942 in Thief River Falls, the son of Duane and Pearl (LaCoe) Battleson. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith. Gary attended school in Thief River Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960.
Following graduation, Gary worked with his family on their mink farm. After a few years he moved to Minneapolis where he worked in the Tool and Dye industry.
On November 30, 1963 Gary was united in marriage to Pam Nelson in Minneapolis. They made their home in Minneapolis and in 1965 became proud parents to their daughter, Kim. In 1970 the family returned home to Thief River Falls where Gary started working on the Soo Line Railroad. He was employed with the Soo Line until his retirement in 2002.
Gary’s favorite pastimes included hunting and spending time at his cabin with friends and family in Fourtown, fishing and camping at Lake of the Woods, cooking and making homemade bread and soup, watching CNN with his dog Susie, and spending time with family and friends. His grandchildren will always cherish his humorous stories.
Gary was a lifelong member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Pam; daughter, Kim (Jeff) Langan of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Alissa (Zach) Anderson of Brainerd, Aaron (Emily) Langan of Bloomington, and Adam (Amanda) Langan of Baxter; great-grandchildren, Henley, Thea, Solveig, Sloane, Navy, Evelyn, Nels, and Ava; siblings, Gene (Dolores) Battleson, Booker (Joy) Battleson, and Peggy (Jim) Brown; sisters-in-law, Melrene (Larry) Kaiser, JoDee (Ron) Reierson, and Danae (Joe) Khalaf; and several nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. He is also survived by his little dog, Susie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Doyle and Sue Nelson; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Jerrold and Irene Nelson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, with Father Rick Lambert presiding. Burial will follow at Silver Creek Cemetery, rural Thief River Falls.
A Visitation will be held from 4–6 p.m., with a 6 p.m. Prayer Service on Sunday, April 2, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to Mass on Monday at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Thief River Falls.
In lieu of flowers, memorials suggested to St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls.
A special thank you to Father Rick Lambert, all staff at Sanford, the Great Plains Ambulance Service of Thief River Falls, the TRF Law Enforcement, and everyone at Johnson Funeral Service for their care and support.
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