Gary Dean Schaar “Thunder”, age 78 of Lake Florida formerly of Tracy, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 19, 2018 at Carris Health Care Center in Willmar. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 24 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday at the church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be held at a later date in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery near Walnut Grove. Memorials are preferred to Carris Health/Rice Hospice in Willmar or Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Stephens Funeral Service – Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gary Dean Schaar was born February 8, 1940 to Arnold and Evelyn (Kolander) Schaar in Windom, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist faith. Gary graduated from Lamberton High School. He enjoyed an outstanding athletic career participating in many different sports. After high school he attended the University of Nebraska on a football scholarship. Gary was united in marriage to Barbara Nicholson at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Gary owned and operated Tracy Lanes for 17 years and was very active in the Minnesota Bowling Proprietors Association of America and served as president of the 4-state BPAA. After retiring from Tracy Lanes, Gary farmed for ten years on the Nicholson family farm. He was a member of the Tracy Lions Club, Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce and the Police Commission. Gary had a very active lifestyle. He enjoyed golfing, bowling and playing cards. He loved hunting and fishing, especially the fishing trips he took to Canada with family and friends. Gary enjoyed traveling. Upon retirement, he and Barbara wintered in Arizona. He also loved spending summers at Lake Florida with his family.
Gary is survived by his wife Barbara; children: Victoria Schaar of Lake Florida and her children: Megan & Kate and Terry (Lisa) Schaar of Tracy and their children: Jenna, Walker (Trisha), & Lauren; sister Linda (Brian) Kosel; brother-in-law Paul (Barbara) Bouchard; and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Merton (Mardy) Schaar, and sister Lorean Bouchard.
So sorry to hear of your loss, Will be praying for Barb and family.
Schaars so sorry to hear about Thunder! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all at this sorrowful time??????
The Caron’s
So sorry for your loss Barb, Mrs Schaar! You may not remember me but I was a former student and in your first GAA sports team. The death of a love one is hard, I lost my husband 5 years ago to cancer at the age of 54. Tough years but the kids help and i see yoiu have some grand kids too! Blessings to you all!
Deb Johns (Thorpe)
Barb, Terry, Vicki, Lisa and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. I can still picture him standing behind the counter at the lanes. My prayers for all of you now and going forward. He was a big part of the Tracy community and influenced a lot of us “kids”.
Sincerely,
Gayle Whiting
Barb and family,
So very sorry to hear this. I’ll always remember the years as bowling partners in Tracy. Those were great times. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jean (Gullickson) Strong
My sincere thoughts and prayers to you, Barb, and Terry and Vicky and families… great memories especially Tracy Lanes, may your love and memories give you peace, joy, and laughter as you celebrate Gary’s life ..love and hugs Rhonda Cooreman Bosacker
Barb, Vicky and Terry.
I’m so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. My thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Becky (West) Ryan
Barb, Vicki and Terry,
We are so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. We pray that God will comfort you and wrap His loving arms around you through this time.
Bruce and Jeanne (Silver) Vogel
So sorry for your loss. Lots of memories from times spent with Gary at Tracy Lanes. Also deer hunting and sharing life in Tracy. My thoughts and prayers with each of you. May God’s Love and Promise comfort you at this sorrowful time of loss.
Eric Nelson
Myy sympathy to all the Schaar Families. Many good memories bowling at Tracy Lanes, as a colleague of Barb, and of Terry and Vicki as students.
I am so sorry. My thoughts and condolences.
Wendy Friberg Cronin
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Very sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. Grateful to have had the chance to see him and your Mother last winter. Heartfelt sympathy from our family to yours??
Prayers,
Julie (Clancy) Hannig
Our love and sympathy to you all……
Thoughts and prayers Barb,Vicky,Terry&Lisa and kid’s.. WAT a great man to know and do many things with… golfing,bowling,limousine rides.to jackpot with Laura boys and late night cards at the old Ally’s that burned down! RIP my friend..????
Barb
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Marv & Jan Hey
Thinking of you ALL in this difficult time of loss. May his love of life bring you encouragement and memories that will carry you through, may his athletic spirit equip you with the strength to endure the days ahead and my his laughter bring you a sense of peace; knowing that his life was well lived and his new home is one of no pain or suffering. Prayers from my family to yours, today and in all the days to come.
Barb & family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
.
Your South Dakota neighbors in Arizona
Sorry to hear this. You will all be in our prayers for the next few weeks as you deal with this loss.
We were so saddened to hear about Gary’s passing. He was a wonderful man who always wore a warm smile on his face. He was a tremendous athlete also. He will be missed.
Muriel and John coulter
Hi Barb,,, so sorry for your loss. I am sure this is a rough time. But you must keep your head and strength up. Death is part of the circle of life. We must prepare ourselves today,,,, for tomorrow.
It has been a long time since we graduated together in 1956. Hope to see you at the mini class reunion in August. Your in our prayers. May God continue to bless. Don Robinson
We are sorry to hear about Gary. He was a friend for many years and know you will miss him. Our prayers to your family at this difficult time,
Condolences to all who loved Mr. Schaar. I always looked forward to his visits to see Vikki, Megan, and Kate in Savannah and have missed him these last few years. He was a wonderful man and is now rejoicing in heaven!
Sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I have know him since high school and at Mankato State. We met quite often at Box Car Days usually at the Beer Tent but it has been about 4 years since I have seen him. He will be greatly missed. Sympathy to his family.
Our condolences to Barb, Vickie, Terry and family, so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Barb and family,
Our thoughts and prayers to you. May his memories bring you peace and a smile to your face. He live on with your family. Your Tracy neighbor – Marlene Buck and Marsha (Buck) Goff.
Barb, Vikki, Terry,
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. May your many memories keep him close to your hearts forever. Hugs and prayers. Al & Paula Olson