Garry Dean Hoyme

Zumbrota – Garry Dean Hoyme, 77, of Zumbrota, passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, May 17th, 2025, at Seasons Hospice House in Rochester, MN.

Garry was born on February 17th, 1948, to Isabell and Clarence Hoyme in Pipestone, MN. Friends, tennis, baseball, swimming, and bowling filled his childhood years. A paper route marked the beginning of his life as a hard worker. After graduating from Pipestone High School, he attended the University of Minnesota–Morris, where he earned a degree in education, followed by a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota.

Garry met his future wife, Shirley Laackmann, from Jasper, MN (a fellow student), during his first quarter of college in 1966. They were married in 1969 and spent 55 years together raising three children.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army during his fourth year of college and deployed to Germany for a three-year term, with his wife joining him. After an early discharge, he was required to complete his service in a stateside military unit. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, serving for 33 years and retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9).

Garry’s first and only teaching job was at Zumbrota-Mazeppa Elementary School, where he taught from 1973 to 2006. Many students referred to him as their “favorite teacher,” and his interactions with them were the highlight of his teaching career.

Early on, he served as a volunteer ambulance driver in Zumbrota for several years and was a member of the United Redeemer Lutheran Church. During the summers, he worked at Mid-America Dairy in Zumbrota. He also volunteered for the MN National Guard Teen and Youth Camp at Camp Ripley for many years, Elder Network, and Seasons Hospice. He cherished the times spent with his grandchildren, was an avid reader, a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and a loyal MN Twins fan.

After retirement, Garry and Shirley spent their winters in Arizona until his health began to decline.

Garry is survived by his wife, Shirley, and two children, Ryan (Yvette) of Rochester and Josh of Zumbrota, as well as his sister-in-law, Erna Christensen of Viborg, SD; Grandchildren Alexa Hoyme, currently deployed with the MN Air National Guard and a registered nurse; Bea Hoyme, attending college in Seattle for Mechanical Engineering; and Indigo Hoyme of Zumbrota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, daughter, Beth Ann Hoyme, sister-in-law, Carol Ann Laackmann, brother-in-law, Marvin Laackmann, sister-in-law, Lois Ulrickson, great-nephew, Casey Bonhorst, and great-niece, Serena Franken.

There will be a visitation at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, on May 29th from 5 to 7 p.m. in memory of Garry. A private family burial will take place at a later date at Zumbrota Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Seasons Hospice in Rochester, MN, or thank a veteran in Garry’s honor.