Gary Gay Betcher

Gary Gay Betcher, 68 of Frontenac, MN, passed away on October 1st at home from Interstitial diffuse lung disease.

 Gary was born September 12, 1956 in northern Minnesota in Fergus Falls. He spent time with a loving and caring family who adored him, until he was 6 months old, when he was adopted by Gerhard and Dorthy Betcher of Rochester, MN, making this family complete with his sister Cindy, Gary, Mom, and Dad. Gary attended John Marshall High School in Rochester, MN graduating in 1975. After graduation he spent some time in Winona, MN living on a houseboat and attending the Vo-tech school for carpentry. He soon realized that he could learn more by working with carpenters in the field. Gary loved the outdoors and while living in Grand Marais, MN. He worked for Hedstrom Saw Mill and Fred Anderson Construction and continued with his carpentry skills. He expanded his love for hunting, fishing, and participating in dog sled events. He even owned his own dog sled team at one time. He was on the starting board of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race. He ran sled dogs for 10 years and helped start the John Beargrease Race and worked as a trail crew as well. Gary later moved to southeast Minnesota after the birth of his daughter Katie Betcher and made their home in Cottage Grove, MN before moving to Lake City. Gary met his lovely and adoring wife in Lake City , MN. He built her deck for her house and the relationship took off from there. They were united in marriage on September 7, 1996 in Lake City, Mn where they made their home for several years before moving to Frontenac, MN. He never gave himself enough credit for how he could look at a problem on the job and be able to solve it effectively. Loved that about him. He was a carpenter for 40 plus years, 20 of which he was self-employed. Gary loved his dogs and had 3 “chessies” for duck hunting. He loved his western movies, shows, and was an avid reader of western books. He loved to reread old western novels, especially author Louis L'amour. He had a very dry sense of humor and quirky way of saying things that made you smile, I will miss that.

Gary is survived by his wife, Kim Betcher and daughter Katie (Betcher)Fleming, son in law Josh Fleming, 4 grandsons, Rowan, Jasper, Avery, Onyx and 1 granddaughter Luna. and a sister, Cindy Brown.

Gary’s parents preceded him in death. 

Celebration of life will be at the Frontenac Sportsman Club in Frontenac, MN on October 12 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Online condolences maybe left at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.