Howard “Andy” Gag, age 96 of Prior Lake, passed away while surrounded by his family on Monday, March 13, 2017. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 4-7PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. Additional services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Marshall, with a mass at 10:30AM and visitation 9:30-10:30AM. Howard will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Attendees of the funeral in Marshall are invited to join the family as they ride their bicycles in the two-mile procession from Holy Redeemer Catholic Church to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in honor of Howard.
On May 23, 1920 in Marshall, MN, Andrew and Eleanor Gag celebrated the birth of their son, Howard Andrew Gag. He grew up in Marshall and was a graduate of the Marshall High School class of 1938. Following his graduation, Howard attended the College of Pharmacy at South Dakota State University.
In September of 1942, Howard entered the medical corps with the United States Army Air Force. He served in Lincoln, NE, and Guam before receiving his honorable discharge in February of 1946. During his time in Lincoln, Howard exchanged wedding vows with the love of his life, Mary Mclaughlin, at St. Mary’s Cathedral on April 2, 1945. This union was blessed with two daughters and 44 wonderful years of marriage. Howard’s life was forever altered by Mary’s death in August of 1989.
Following the war, Howard and his brother joined their father in operating Gag’s Rexall Drug Store in Marshall. In 1967, Howard sold the business. While he still worked part time at the store, he committed himself to being a relief pharmacist—offering temporary coverage for pharmacists when they went on vacation.
Howard was a member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed playing solitaire and watching football, baseball, and basketball. Howard was best known for riding his bike throughout town, up to 20 miles a day. Howard would always say, “If you saw a man too old to ride a bike down the street, it was probably me.” This pastime began when his daughter Kathy graduated high school and Howard traded in her bike for one of his own.
In 1990 at a high school reunion, Howard rekindled his friendship with classmate Beth Dhoore Peterson. His life was enriched when they married in Sterling, CO, on May 6, 2006. The couple moved to Prior Lake in October of 2014.
Howard’s quick wit and frugality will be always be remembered by his daughters, Kathryn “Kathy” (David Maguire) Gag and Patricia “Tricia” (George) Scheffler-Ladd; grandchildren, Karissa Penske, Andrew (Katie) Scheffler; step-grandchildren, Amy Carpenter, Jennifer (Greg) Mertens, Audra (Brandon) Cathy; 5 and ¾ great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Cecilia Gag; other loving family and friends.
Howard will be welcomed into heaven by his first wife, Mary; second wife, Elizabeth; brother, Willard Gag; sister, Eleanor Gag; and parents.
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Carolyn Stage
So sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather ! It is never easy to say good bye, but you know that you will meet again one day and Howard will say that was a doozy send off riding the bicycles in my honor !
Beautiful tribute to your father Trisha !
Donna Kor
My sympathies to the family. I remember seeing him all over town on his bike with a smile on his face. He was a gentile, kind, funny man. Now he is safely home with God.
Kathy Gag
Thank you Donna Kor for your thoughts!! I just saw this comment…sorry!
Butch Marks
I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Howard and Mary as neighbors growing up on Whitney St. They were the life of any gathering. Always treating me as a youngster with respect.
Kathy Gag
Thank you Butch for your memories!!! Long time no see!!
Pat & Mary Surprenant
Our deepest sympathy to you Kathy and Tricia-what a great man.!
I still remember him on his bike dropping of the blueprints of the house for usPat and I will be there to help you celebrate his life on May 6th with our bicycles tuned up! Just let us know if you’d like to come see the home he built and the one that we have called home since 1989 and had so many, many happy memories in-we’d be happy to share it with you. I lost my dear momma in February at 93 and though it has beeen hard, may you find comfort knowing he is rejoicing with God in heaven!
Tricia Scheffler-Ladd
Thank you so much! Look forward to seeing you, (and i would love to see your home!)
Kathy Gag
Pat and Mary…that is so super nice of you that you are going to join us!! Can’t wait to meet you! Just saw this post..sorry!
jeannie
Dear Kathy and Tricia,
So many great memories of Andy, Mary and your family! Lots of fun times as an observer of Dort and Glenn celebrating friendship and life with Andy , Mary and lots of other great people! They had a love for life and all that it offered and enjoyed it to the fullest! Remember your folks hosting gatherings for us after softball games or whatever and fitting right in with their children and friends-probably more fun than we thought we were! Andy was great and had many unique and lovable qualities! Found many special photos when going through the Olson albums last month and I’ll post some to you on Facebook! I won’t be able to be at the funeral but I’m enjoying the thought of you honoring Andy with a “bike parade” down main street! A perfect farewell❤️. Love to all of you and a big hug.
Always,
Jeannie Olson Blomme and family