Gary Wayne Munkelwitz

Gary Munkelwitz of Pine City died August 28, 2012 at his home in rural Pine City at the age of 68 years. Gary was born March 10, 1944 in St. Paul, MN to Harvey and Dorothy (Hunt) Munkelwitz. He graduated from North St. Paul High School and shortly thereafter was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served his country during the Viet Nam era in Germany and was discharged as a Specialist 4. Upon his return to the states, Gary took a job as a machinist at Gross-Given Mfg. that would encompass the majority of his working career. He retired from Gross-Given after some 38 years of service. In the early 1970’s, Gary met and married the love of his life, Patricia Senart. Introduced to each other by Pat’s sister Marie at a local VFW, the couple dated and was married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in St. Paul. Gary was raised as a Christian in the Lutheran faith and became Catholic when he married Pat. The couple enjoyed doing everything together; going to county fairs, the Minnesota state fair, berry picking, garage sales, auctions, going to casinos and museums. Gary enjoyed garage sales and auctions because he loved a good deal! Gary and Pat moved to Pine City in 1992 where they appreciated their rural property close to the Snake river. In the early 2000’s, Pat developed M.S. and their lives changed dramatically. They continued to do everything together, now Gary pushing Pat in a wheelchair. Gary was a very upbeat person, always there for others, a great husband, brother and son, a Christian man who adored his wife and liked to visit and spend time with friends. In his early years, Gary enjoyed going to MN Twins baseball games, deer hunting, shooting pool, riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and watching professional wrestling matches. He like fancy cars and took great pride in his vehicles. He was preceded in death by his parents Harvey & Dorothy Munkelwitz, his wife Patricia Munkelwitz in 2010 and siblings; Ted Munkelwitz, Bob Carter and Judy Bender. Surviving Mr. Gary Munkelwitz are his sisters Sherry Linn of Breezy Point, Susan (Keith) Meyer of St. Paul, sister-in-law; Sharon Carter of Blaine and many nieces and nephews. Monsignor Aleksander Suchan celebrated a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (9/5/12) at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Pine City. Paul and Teena Bacigalupi provided music. Casket bearers were Kevin Kelley, Mark Kelley, Bill Kelley, Scott Kelley, Don Kelley, and John Carter. Military honors were provided by Heath-Perkins American Legion Post #51 and the Minnesota National Guard. A time of visitation and reviewal was held one hour prior to Mass at the church; Wednesday morning. The interment for Gary was at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. Funeral arrangements for Mr. Gary Munkelwitz of Pine City are entrusted to the Funeral and Cremation Service~ Swanson Chapel of Pine City. www.funeralandcremationservice.com