GARY LIDKE

Gary Allen Lidke, of Grasston, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at his home. He was 65 years old.

Gary was born in Braham on May 19, 1958, to Donald and Harriet (Giffrow) Lidke. Gary was the oldest of three and was raised surrounded by a large loving extended family. As he grew up, he fell in love with hunting, fishing, Braham Football, and Cathy Klemz.

He graduated from Braham High School in 1976 and completed the welding program at Pine Tech shortly after. He briefly worked in the Carpenter’s Union before becoming a lifelong iron worker, following in his grandfather’s footsteps. NSP and Xcel Energy is where he spent most of his iron working career and from where he retired in 2013 as General Foreman, Special Construction Iron Workers. He also enjoyed shooting trap and was a part of the Braham Sportsman’s Club board for 16 years and President for 6 years. 

On July 29, 1978, Gary married the love of his life, Cathy Ann Klemz. They purchased 40 acres of land and built their home of 45 years together. On March 17, 1980, they were blessed with a daughter Julia Catherine and two years later on June 6, 1982, blessed again this time with a son, Levi Donald. As a dad, he enjoyed teaching his kids his life’s loves, hunting, fishing, sports, being a devoted husband to their mom, and always ready to lend a hand.

In 2005, Gary made one of his dreams come true, he and Cathy bought their lake home on Bowstring Lake. He loved spending time with family and friends fishing or just BS-ing with a cold beer or bourbon in hand.

If there was one thing Gary loved most other than his wife and kids, were his grandkids. He was a doting, patient, and proud grandpa that taught his grandkids his love of the outdoors, sports, and to always pay attention when grandpa said, “watch this.”  He will be dearly missed.

Gary is preceded in death by his father Donald Lidke, father-in-law LuVerne Klemz, and sister-in-law Ann Klemz.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Cathy; daughter Julia (Eric) Jarnot of Sugar Land, TX; son Levi (girlfriend Heather Pratt) of Grasston; mother Harriet Lidke of Braham; mother-in-law Lucille Klemz of Braham; sisters, Shari (Allen) Jensen of Stanchfield, Mari (Danny) Erickson of Stanchfield; brothers-in-law, Richard (Barb) Klemz of Danbury, WI, Daniel (Jonelle) Klemz of Grasston; grandchildren, Elena and Cole Jarnot, Garett, Gage, and Grady Lidke, and bonus Madisyn and Evan Pratt; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials are preferred to Braham Youth Sports.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 17, 2024 at the Braham Ev. Lutheran Church.

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at the Hamilton Funeral Homes - Rock Chapel in Braham

A Memorial Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 am on Friday, May 16, 2024 at the Braham Ev Lutheran Church.

Inurnment will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery in Braham.

A luncheon will follow the services at the church.

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