Gary Fiala, age 70, of Glenwood, MN, died Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at the Frazee Care Center in Frazee, MN.  A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 28 ^th , at Sacred Heart Church in Glenwood, with Fr. Joe Vandeberg officiating.  Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Monday, (Rosary will be prayed at 4:45 P.M.) at the funeral home in Glenwood and will continue on Tuesday morning at the church, one hour prior to the service.  Inurnment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Glenwood.  Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Gary Eugene Fiala was born in Glenwood, MN, on December 16, 1944, to Leo and Ethelle (Gehlhar) Fiala.  He grew up on a farm near Glenwood, attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Glenwood schools, graduating with the class of 1964.  After high school, he drove milk truck for Glenwood Creamery for two years until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 27, 1966.  Gary served as an AUS TC until his honorable discharge on July 5, 1967.  On October 4, 1969, he was united in marriage to Sharon Erlandson at St. John Nepomuk near Lowry, MN.  The two made their home on a farm near Glenwood, where they raised crops along with seven children.  Gary and Sharon retired from farming in 2001.

Gary was a member of the VFW, America Legion, and National Farmers Organization (NFO).  He truly enjoyed farming and farm life in general.  After his retirement, he spent his time tinkering on things, watching birds and visiting with his children and grandchildren.  His favorite television program was Molly B. Polka.

Gary will be remembered as a loving husband and father and a wonderful grandfather.  He was a caring person and a good friend.  On July 22, 2015, surrounded by his family, Gary went home to be with his Lord.  The date of his passing is particularly significant because it marked the one year anniversary of the death of his father, Leo.  For the past couple of months, Gary had been a patient at the Frazee Care Center.  Blessed be his memory.

Gary is survived by Sharon, his loving wife of 45 years, who resides in Glenwood; two daughters, Kayla (Rodney) LeGare and Becky (Kelly Anderson) Fiala, both of Glenwood; and four sons, Steve and Tim, both of Glenwood, Derrick (Angela) of Brandon, and Kevin (Jessica) of Iowa; a step-son, Mike Erlandson of Alexandria; 13 grandchildren, Brandon and Kyle Berthiaume, Austin and Colten LeGare, Conner Stein, Peyton and Shay Fiala, Parker, Dixie, Elijah Fiala, Katie and Dylan Erlandson, and Ben Anderson; one great-grandchild, Jaelyn Berthiaume; four sisters, Bonnie Simenson, Rose (Jerry Sr.) Searcy, Peggy Alexander, Laurie Fiala; two brothers, Bill and David (Karla) Fiala; several  nieces and nephews; and special family friend, Lori Klimek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo (in 2014) and Ethelle (in 2012) Fiala; a brother, Roger Fiala; a brother-in-law, Jerry Simenson; and a niece, Theressa Hemmesch.