Gary James Sitz

Gary James Sitz, 49 of Park Rapids, formerly of Los Angeles, Calif. and Princeton, passed away Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009 after a long battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Lou Gehrig’s) disease.

Gary was born on Aug. 2, 1960 to Ovid and Hazel (Jacobson) Sitz in Park Rapids. He attended Park Rapids public schools, graduating from Park Rapids Area High School with the class of 1978. He went on to attend St. Paul Vocational-Technical College for woodworking.

In 1983, Gary was married to Shelly Lockrem in Park Rapids. This union was blessed with two sons, Daniel and Brian. Gary was co-founder of Lake George Woodworks, where he built high quality furniture and cabinets for a number of years.

In the late 1980s, Gary and Shelly moved to California where Gary continued his career in woodworking. In 1997, Gary was married to Joy Brown of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. In 2005, Gary returned to Minnesota and made his home in Princeton for a time before coming home to Park Rapids in 2007.

In September of 2007, Gary was diagnosed with the debilitating disease, ALS.

Gary loved camping with his kids; any time spent in the woods or on the water was very important to him. He was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.

During his time at Heritage Living Center and Diamond Willow, Gary met and was lovingly cared for by many wonderful staff people. He was especially grateful for the friendship of Lila Yliniemi, resident of Heritage Living Center, who helped him to know that God is by his side.

Gary will be lovingly remembered by his two sons, Daniel Sitz and Brian Sitz both of Los Angeles, Calif.; special friend Marianne Mealey; six siblings: Paul (Erika) Sitz of Ramsey, Gloria (Jerry) Johnson of Pine River, Barbara (Fred) Dierks of Princeton, Karolyn (Url DeRochemont) Mattila of Minneapolis, Michael (Janine) Sitz of Grand Junction, Colo, twin brother Gregory (Julie) Sitz of Park Rapids; one sister-in-law, Nancy Sitz of Chugiak, Alaska; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, William.

Memorial service: 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids with Rev. Steve Norby officiating. Organist will be Roz Pederson. Soloist will be Deb Fern. She will sing “The Lord is My Shepard” and “You Are Mine.” Congregational hymns will be “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. To leave online condolences please visit www.jonespearson.com.

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