Gary D. Griffin

Gary Duane Griffin, age 62, died unexpectedly, Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato.

Memorial Service Celebrating Gary’s Life will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Friday, September 23, 2016, at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Mankato.

Gary was born May 25, 1954, to Duane and Smila (Seltenreich) Griffin in Mankato. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Mankato. Gary graduated from Mankato High School in 1972 and from Mankato Area Vocational Technical Institute in Auto Mechanics, Machinist, and Tool and Die Making. On September 4, 1982, he married Marie J. Friedrichs. Their marriage was blessed with three children. During his life, Gary was employed at Hiniker Company and MICO, Inc. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking, going for drives on the prairie, spending time at the lake, and being with his family and dogs, Scooter and Reggie. Gary’s love for the outdoors led him to be a Shooting Sports 4-H Club Leader, Firearm Safety Instructor, and lifetime member of Key Cities Conservation Club. Gary was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church where he served as an usher. Gary’s talents for building and repairing things and making his special Sloppy Joes will be missed.

Gary is survived by his wife, Marie; children, Cory (Matthew) Sawyer of Le Center, Caitlin Griffin, Daniel Griffin both of Mankato; brother, Dale Griffin; sister, Colleen (Tom) Haley; niece, Rachel Haley; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Karl (LuAnn) Friedrichs, Fred (Kari) Friedrichs, Ruth (Jim) Wellmann, Heidi (Russell) Parker; many nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; and sister, Gloria Griffin.