Larry J. Gillette

Larry "Bear" J. Gillette, 56, of rural Osage, Minnesota, died peacefully Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at his home under the care of his wife and Hospice of the Red River Valley. Larry, the son of Raymond and Alta (Gade) Gillette, was born on January 30, 1956 in Fargo, North Dakota. He was raised and educated in Moorhead, Minnesota. Larry was united in marriage to Mary Meeks on July 16, 1973 in Sisseton, South Dakota. They made their home in rural Osage, Minnesota. Sadly, Mary passed away unexpectedly on February 8, 2000. Larry worked various jobs, some of which included Gabor Trucking (Detroit Lakes) and Lund Boats (New York Mills). For the last twenty-one years, Larry has worked for Lamb-Weston RDO Frozen Inc. in Park Rapids. Larry was united in marriage to Brenda Tucker on July 29, 2003 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Larry enjoyed joking around (as all who knew him will tell you) and lending a helping hand. He was someone you could always count on. He loved life on the lake, whether he was enjoying a boat ride, watching the sunset or even just the breeze on his face. Larry had a great ability to fix anything and everything. The time he spent with family and friends was what Larry cherished the most. He also enjoyed his dogs, Snoopy, Sassy and Snowball. Larry is survived by his wife, Brenda, Osage, MN; his children, Dennis of WI, Raymond (Melissa) of Detroit Lakes, MN; Startrina (Chris) of WI; Tracie(John) of MN; Sean (Arlean) of WI; Beau (Amy) of WI; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine (Louis) Meeks of Park Rapids, MN; Cindy (Tom) Stock of Kansas City, MO; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Lillian Meeks of Osage, MN; mother-in-law, Arlene Growt of Luck, WI; sister-in-law, Bonnie (Milo) Walthers of West Fargo, ND; and numerous family and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Mary; brother, Duane; and two sisters-in-law, Carol Nicholauson and Mary Meeks.