The graveside service for Gary 'Big G' Luetzen will be held at 4:00 p.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at Wildrose Cemetery in Berthold, ND.

To view the flowers from Gary's service, click here: Gary Luetzen Flowers

To view a livestream of the service access https://app.restream.io/new-event-invitation/TjFLWjBCa1T3843RmUygujGkZvKWKMo/email

Gary E. 'Big G' Luetzen , 83, Minot, formerly of Berthold, died Saturday, October 28, 2023 in a Minot hospital.

Gary E. Luetzen was born July 15,1940 in Fargo, ND, the son of Adolph and Mary (Troxel) Luetzen. He spent his early years in Kindred, ND prior to his parents move to Minot. Gary graduated from Minot High in 1958 then attended the North Dakota State School of Science where he took up drafting.

Gary joined the Army Reserves and was united in marriage to Carole Mann on October 7, 1960.

He worked at the Minot Post Office for a few years then transferred to Minot Air Force Base to Central Supply. In 1962, they moved to a farm near Berthold, ND and began farming with his father-in-law Lewis Mann. Gary got the fever of raising quarter horses after buying a filly named Sparks from his Uncle John Bieri. He went on to show and raised many champions. Gary was a licensed pilot. He owned his own plane and built a runway and hanger on his property.

In addition to farming small grains, Gary also drove semi-truck for Minot Builders Supply for around 11 years and later spent many years driving school bus for Berthold School District, logging many miles without an accident. Gary was always very proud of his children, so he always made it home for their sporting events. We don't think he ever missed a game, even if it meant driving in a snowstorm.

Gary and Carole divorced in 2001. He was a member of the Berthold Baptist Church for 40 years. Gary then met his special friend and companion Jane Grunseth. They have been together for the last 22 years, spending many winters in Arizona soaking up the heat. Summertime had Gary looking forward to going golfing with his group of friends at the Velva Golf Course, sometimes golfing 3-4 times per week.

Gary also enjoyed building things. He spent hundreds of hours building model train layouts and model airplanes. Gary was very meticulous in everything he did. He had built a ¼" scale Cub airplane in which he won the People's Choice award in the Minot Modelers Club.

Gary is survived by Jane Grunseth of Minot, Carole Luetzen of Zap, ND, sons, Michael Luetzen and his wife Stacey of Great Falls, MT, and Ryan Luetzen and his wife Barb of Bismarck, ND, daughter Holly Ginkens and her husband Dennis of Elk Point, SD, Patty Luetzen Wisthoff and husband Jon of Heartland, ND; sister Jean Pope of Minot ND; grandchildren Danielle (Carter), Kent, Paige (Joe), Penny (Aaron), Parker, KaSara, Riley, Sadie (Ryan), Ty, Matt (Cassidy), Kaylea (Brian), Logan (Marissa) and Jolyssa (Garett); great grandchildren Anders, Brooks, Benjamin, Jude, Halle, Briar, Nixen, Sutton, Carter, Grayson, Lux, Beckett, Colten and Harper along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces and great nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by parents Adolph and Mary Luetzen, father and mother-in-law Lewis "Mutt" and Wilma Mann, son Rand Luetzen, brother Robert Luetzen, sister-in-law Betty Luetzen, brother-in-law Robert 'Mac' Pope , brother-in-law Ralph and  sister-in-law Phyllis Birdsall, and brother-in-law Gordon Mann and nephew Steven Pope and numerous aunts and uncles.

Service to Remember Gary Luetzen: 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023, at The Pursuit, Minot. To view a livestream of the service access https://app.restream.io/new-event-invitation/TjFLWjBCa1T3843RmUygujGkZvKWKMo/email
Interment: Wildrose Cemetery, Berthold, ND
Visitation: Friday, November 3, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.