Gary Michael Isaacson

Gary Michael Isaacson, age 73, passed away on September 7, 2023 at The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, MN. He had been battling cancer for several years.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Tanker Bay, 102 N. Carver, in Winthrop September 16, 1-4p.m. He will be buried at Fort Snelling September 26, at 1:45.
Gary was born on November 1, 1949 in New Ulm. His parents were Darwin (Axel) and Lauretta Isaacson. Gary was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Lafayette. He attended school in Winthrop. Growing up on the farm, it wasn’t unusual to find little bird eggs in his dresser in hopes that they would hatch.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 24, 1968 and spent 8 ½ months in Vietnam. He attained the rank of Specialist Fourth Class Infantry 9th Division Mekong Delta. Much of his time spent there was walking back and forth through the wet rice paddies where eventually a land mine exploded and his left arm was badly wounded by shrapnel. He was transported to Japan and eventually to Denver VA Hospital for surgeries and rehab for a year. He earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star upon leaving the Army in September 1970.
Gary worked in Winthrop at the Milk Plant and the Grain Elevator, at Unidoor in Gaylord and after retirement he worked at Walmart.
He had many interests he enjoyed and was actively involved in; Pheasants Forever, Game Protective League, Ducks Unlimited, Winthrop Fire Department, American Legion and the Conservation grounds which he tended and where he enjoyed taking his beloved dogs, Tinka and Natasha.
His hobbies were endless; trapping and skinning, fishing, arrowheads, making fishing lures, coin collecting, hunting, decoy making, aquariums, casinos, cards, cooking and canning. He was knowledgeable on each and, as many can attest to, he loved to talk about them. Gary loved to be busy and useful and fought hard to beat his cancer.
Gary was loved and will be greatly missed by his sisters Donna (Arly) Wendlandt, Ann (Tom) Gieseke, Jan (Mark) Larson and by many nieces, nephews, cousins and caring and loving friends.
The family thanks all the nurses, doctors and caregivers in Waconia, Arlington Hospital, Winthrop Ambulance, St. Croix Hospice, The Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine and Dalin Funeral Chapel for the their compassion and care. We thank everyone for your kindness and sympathies. Any monetary gifts may be given to a cause dear to your heart. No individual acknowledgements will be sent.