Condolences for Gary Ray Schaefer as of 12/18/2025 at 3:51 am

Jared And Lisa White added on 09/15/2021 at 2:41 pm 
I'm so sorry about Gary's passing.  He was one of the good guys.  One of the best.  He was a wonderful uncle, and I will miss him.  

Tom Brooks added on 09/15/2021 at 7:14 pm 
My sympathy to Gary's family. We had many long talks at snap fitness. We each had the same black trans am. He was smart enough to keep his.  He was such a nice man. He will be missed. 

Tom Brooks added on 09/15/2021 at 7:15 pm 
My sympathy to Gary's family. We had many long talks at snap fitness. We each had the same black trans am. He was smart enough to keep his.  He was such a nice man. He will be missed. 

Kristie Nelson added on 09/16/2021 at 8:41 am 
   Gary will certainly be missed here on earth! He had a HUGE personality....loved talking, laughing and telling stories. Gary would do anything to help others as he also had a huge heart.
    We've known Gary for a long time..card club, I worked with him at Snap, golfed with him, as well as fun get together.
    Prayers, sympathy and thoughts of comfort to Gary's family and all who knew him. There will be "Gary Stories" floating around for many years to come!
       Ed and Kristie Nelson 

Courtnie Garteski Bergler added on 09/16/2021 at 8:55 am 
Heaven has gained a huge personality! He will keep it lively up there! I am deeply sorry for your family?s loss.  Thinking of all of you during this time.

Phil And Beth Thompson added on 09/16/2021 at 1:38 pm 
We are so sorry for your loss, Gary will be deeply missed.  Our prayers and thoughts are with the you, Cheryl and your family during this difficult time.
Phil and Beth

Todd Johannsen added on 09/16/2021 at 3:52 pm 
Cheryl and family,
I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss.   I know what it is like to lose my father now five years ago of cancer and it is very difficult.  My prayers go out to you and your family during this challenging time.  Best wishes and know that Gary is now in a peaceful place. 

Carol Cooper added on 09/16/2021 at 4:46 pm 
Deepest sympathies to all in the passing of dear Gary.  May you find strength in family and friends during this difficult time.  God's Peace.??

Therese White added on 09/17/2021 at 12:49 pm 
Cheryl and family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.  Blessings and prayers for Gary and all of you!
Therese

Todd Kieffer added on 09/17/2021 at 4:40 pm 
Gary and Sheryl were the first two people we met when we moved to Byron. They were staying at Gary's parents while the new house was being built. They made us feel very comfortable and Anya and Angie loved playing with our children. Thank you for helping make a great first impression to Byron. Gary was always good at heart and just loved to have a good time.  Many great times were had from playing softball and best shot golf tournaments in Hayfield. Will never forget the memories from "Choir Practice." Rest in peace, my friend. 

Dave & Rose Gottschalk added on 09/18/2021 at 8:08 am 
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family on the loss of Gary.  Dave & Rose (custodians at Christ Lutheran)

Bob And Linda Reed added on 09/18/2021 at 5:03 pm 
Bob and I are so sorry for your loss, Gary will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Cheryl, and your family. 

Jean Winslow added on 09/20/2021 at 7:55 am 
I so sorry to hear of you loss.  Deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Rich And Darla  Geary added on 09/20/2021 at 1:10 pm 
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Gary.  He was always smiling and had such a positive outlook on life.  He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to get to know him. 

Malia Eustice added on 09/20/2021 at 4:55 pm 
Dear Cheryl, Anya, and Angie,
I am so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was always so welcoming to us girls in high school, willing to let us come enjoy our summers at the lake! Such good memories. He was always friendly and even came by last year when I was living near by telling me to never hesitate to ask him for help snow plowing my driveway! He was great man and great father to Anya and Angie. He will be truly missed. Thinking of you and praying for all of you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Malia

Ross And Laura Kuhn added on 09/20/2021 at 7:22 pm 
Schaefer family,
So sorry to hear of your loss.  Our thought and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.  

Ross and Laura

Eric And Francine Kovash added on 09/21/2021 at 1:35 pm 
Cheryl and family,
So sorry for your loss.  We're sending prayers to all of you during this difficult time.  Gary was one of a kind, and he will be missed dearly.

Steve Hebert added on 09/22/2021 at 9:50 pm 
Eloise, Cheryl and Family,
My sisters shared with me this afternoon of Gary's passing. I am so sorry. I grew up with Gary in Bonesteel, S.D. We last talked a few months ago after the passing of another good Bonesteel childhood friend. We talked about bowling, our parents, our families and what we have been up to the last 50 years. When his granddaughter (Addie?) spoke at the funeral this afternoon (thanks to YouTube), she talked of Gary and his driving. Gary and his cars are some of my fondest memories. Gary was the first friend to have a driver's license and I am pretty sure he was driving well before he actually had his license. I always felt like a bit of an outlaw when riding with Gary. I might have been 13 and Gary 14, knowing that something about his driving was just wrong; but exciting nonetheless! The first car I remember was his dad's 4-door white Chevy. I had to help him wash it if I was going to get a ride. However, the really cool car was a bronze Oldsmobile Cutlass with a white soft-top, equipped with one of the only 8-track players in town, with great tunes of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap, the Grassroots, Donovan, Jeanie C. Riley and others. Gary was introducing me to the "dark side" of rock and roll! We were good friends and played countless games of Ten Point Pitch, drinking lots of Mountain Dew, at Eloise's kitchen table, especially during snow days! Rest in peace my good friend! I am glad we got to talk just a few months ago. Be well Eloise and God Bless!
Steve Hebert
 
Denver, CO

Bill Cottrell added on 10/13/2021 at 3:42 pm 
My profound sympathies to you Cheryl and your family.  

Condolences provided by:
Byron Funeral Home
1620 Voll Dr. NW
Byron, MN 55920
507-315-1330
www.byronfuneralhome.com