Gary Charles Hamre was born February 10, 1946, in Granite Falls, MN, the son of Harry and Corella (Oie) Hamre. He was raised in the family farming community of Sacred Heart, MN. During his childhood and throughout high school, Gary was involved in sports, 4-H, music and church activites. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1964. Following high school, Gary furthered his education at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he received his teaching certificate and a B.A. in History and Political Science while minoring in Physical Education. With this degree and a shortage of teachers, Gary had a number of offers and chose Mahnomen as it had the largest new gymnasium and offered the most money. With this offer, he also took on the roles and responsibilities of an assistant football coach, wrestling and junior high track coach and summer recreation advisor - a job which turned into over 30 years of enthusiastic coaching and teaching.
On August 7, 1971, Gary was united in marriage to Cheryl Young. The couple made their home in Mahnomen and to their union came three daughters: Shannon, Rachel and Amanda. Over the years, Gary also became involved in the Community Theater Presentations and held a supervisory position with the WE Fest organization. Near the end of his teaching career, he began managing the Mahnomen Country Club. Gary retired from the Mahnomen School System in May of 1999 and continued to manage the golf course until the fall of 2002, when he began working at the Shooting Star Casino as the Guest Services Transportation Coordinator.
Having loved so many things, Gary kept quite active throughout the years. He was an active member of First Lutheran Church and enjoyed being part of the choir. You could always count on Gary to cheer on the Minnesota Twins - at home or in the hospital. Collecting baseball cards also kept him busy as his collection seemed to grow and grow. Gary enjoyed playing golf, even mastering the 9-hole course in Mahnomen. An outdoor enthusiast, he liked taking in the beauty of the trees, traveling to different places and seeing the sights. In 1989, he traveled with other family members to Europe and Norway, tracing back his family origins. The love of his life however was his family - as he enjoyed spending endless hours with his children and grandchildren.
In April of 2007, Gary was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer. To this came many trials and tribulations for him and his family. Throughout the many hospital stays and doctor visits, Gary remained steadfast while his family and friends stood by his side. His energy and zest for life did not falter as he continued to live life to the fullest. He enjoyed activities with his grandchildren, watching the Minnesota Twins - even buying baseball cards on eBay while sitting in his hospital room. The highlight of the year came in June when Gary went on a fishing trip to Alaska where he was able to take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy a sport he loved, fishing.
This past year's journey was filled with ups and downs, smiles and tears - one that seemed all too short.
Gary left to be with his heavenly father on March 25, 2008, at the age or 62. He leaves behind his three daughters: Shannon (Jeff) Hedstrom, Bemidji, MN, Rachel Hamre, Mahnomen and Amanda Hamre, Fargo, ND; four grandchildren: Chelsea, Mason, Olivia and Mario; his parents, Harry and Corella Hamre, Sacred Heart, MN; two brothers, Paul (Carla) Hamre, and David (Annie), both of Sacred Heart; three sisters: Sue (Tim) Griffith, Walnut Grove, MN, Marilyn McMahon, Savage, MN, and Marianne Friday, Rosemount, MN; and many nieces and nephews. His wife, Cheryl, precedes him in death.