Plummer – Gary Ray Arlt, 78, a longtime resident of Plummer, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Gary was born on April 6, 1948, in Thief River Falls, to Arnold Robert Arlt and Wilma Mae (Greenwald) Arlt. He was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer, where his faith remained an important part of his life.
From an early age, Gary possessed what many considered his greatest gift—a natural sense of humor and a remarkable talent for storytelling. Those who knew him will remember his quick wit, infectious laughter, and ability to bring joy into any room. Gary had a way of connecting with people, leaving them smiling and often laughing long after a conversation ended.
Gary attended Pershing School in Plummer, graduating with the Class of 1966. He continued his education at Northland Community College in Thief River Falls, earning an Associate Degree in Business Administration. Following college, Gary enlisted in the United States Navy, serving his country honorably, including tours in the Gulf of Tonkin and the Persian Gulf, before being discharged in 1972.
After his military service, Gary lived and worked in California, where he was employed as a custom cabinet maker. He later returned to Minnesota, working for Detroiter Mobile Homes, before finishing his career as Office Manager for the Red Lake County Sheriff’s Office, from which he retired in 2012.
In life, Gary believed in hard work, pride, and values shaped by the era in which he grew up. He often reflected fondly on simpler times and encouraged others to take something meaningful from every single day.
Gary experienced life’s ups and downs with resilience and humor. After earlier hardships, fate brought him back together with the love of his life—Cindy Jaeger, whom he had first held hands with at the Pershing High School Homecoming in October of 1965. The two eloped and were married on May 13, 1997, sharing nearly three decades of love, friendship, and companionship.
In his later years, Gary faced significant health challenges with courage, including cirrhosis, heart disease, asthma, COPD, macular degeneration, arthritis, and cancer. Even as his health declined, his spirit and sense of humor endured.
Though hearts are heavy, Gary would not want his loved ones to dwell in sorrow. His legacy is one of laughter, stories shared, friendships cherished, and memories made. He would ask that you honor him by remembering a time he made you smile—or laugh.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Jaeger Arlt; his stepson, Steven Lampkin; his mother, Wilma Arlt; and his siblings, Lowell (Cindy) Arlt and Leslie (Mary) Arlt. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters in law: Greg (Coke) Jaeger, Linda Lorenson, Kathi Jaeger, Jeff (Phuong) Jaeger, Janet (Richard) Johnson, Mary (Randy) Propp, Paul Jaeger, Helen (Steve) Konickson, Shelia (Mark) Holen, and Tony Jaeger, along with many cherished nieces, nephews, classmates, and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Arnold Arlt; his grandparents; his niece, Danielle Arlt; his great nephew, Avory Ross Erickson; his parents-in-law, Theodore Jaeger and Anne (Lavoie) Jaeger; and his brother-in-law, Joseph Jaeger.
Funeral service for Gary will be held 11 am Friday, May 1, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls. Burial will be held at Brooks Presbyterian Cemetery near Brooks.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 starting at 5 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, also one hour prior to the service on Friday morning.
A00003B2026AP29