Gary Funkhouser

Gary Lee Funkhouser, age 61 of Cottage Grove, passed away unexpectedly on November 25th, 2015 at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN. We want to thank the amazing nursing staff at United Hospital and doctors Charles Terzian MD, and Dr. Brian Mahoney MD for all that they did to try to save him and keep him with us.

Celebration of Gary's life will be at Kok Funeral Home, 7676 – 80th St. S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016 - Tuesday, December 1st, 2015 from 4pm – 8pm. Prayer Services at Kok Funeral Home – Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015 at 10am – Processional and interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery immediately following.

Gary was born on November 29th, 1953 in Lansing Michigan, to Emmett and Lucile (Stoddard) Funkhouser. In November of 1972, while "Me and Mrs. Jones" was playing on the radio, Gary met the love of his life, Julie (Sirek) Funkhouser, and married her the following year on September 8th, 1973. Together they raised their two beautiful and loving children, daughter Stephany (Funkhouser) Schmitz and son Nicholas Funkhouser. They welcomed into their family Nathan Schmitz and David Flesher, and on St. Patrick's day in 2012 became Grandparents to Emmett Schmitz. Gary will forever be known as "Gramps".

Gary and Julie moved to their current Cottage Grove home in 1994, where they lived in their close knit neighborhood and met their lifelong friends, whom they would also refer to as their family. Gary played golf every Saturday with his friends Walt Meier and Bob Patrow, and together they all spent Friday night's with their friends and neighbors, Miles and Charlene Burd, Bob's wife, Jennifer Patrow, Greg Hunt, and many others. Gary worked at Buesing Bulk Transport for the past 26 years and was Dick Bruckner's right hand man, and was loved by his drivers, one of whom called on Thanksgiving Day, just to wish "Boss" a Happy Thanksgiving. Gary also maintained very close relationships with Julie's family; brothers and sister, Steve and wife Terry Sirek, Chris Sirek, Carrie and husband Bill Frank, Michael Sirek Jr, and his nieces and nephews Chris Sirek Jr, Elizabeth "Bitsy" (Sirek) and husband William Yorks, Curtis and wife Eve Frank, and Brian and wife Pam Frank.

Gary is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Julie (Sirek) Funkhouser, his immediate family, Stephany Schmitz, Nicholas Funkhouser, David Flesher, Nathan Schmitz and his joy and grandson, Emmett Schmitz, and many other family members and friends.