Gary Kristensen

Dates

Obituary

Gary Kristensen, 72, of Mitchell, SD, passed away peacefully Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Celebration of Life will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, September 17th at Holy Family Catholic Church, Mitchell, with burial at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be Tuesday from 4-7:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church with prayer service at 6:30 PM.

Gary was born on March 15th, 1953, to Raymond and Betty Kristensen in Mitchell, SD.

Gary grew up in White Lake, SD, where he graduated in 1971. He attended Mitchell Area Votech, graduating with an Electrician Degree in 1973. His first job was wiring the Fine Arts Building on the campus of the University of South Dakota. In 1973, he took a job with Tri-County Electric in Plankinton, where he retired from 33 years later. In 1974, Gary married Janice (Schuman) and began his life in Plankinton. During Gary’s years in Plankinton, he was on the School Board for many years. While serving on the school board, the most difficult time was handling the loss of two great friends, when the school exploded.  After retirement, he became the Head Greens Keeper at Fish Lake Country Club along with driving the school bus for the Plankinton School District. When Janice retired, they decided to move to Mitchell to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Gary, not being the type of person to sit around and do nothing, became the bus driver for Foreman Company. During this adventure, he would drive the bus for the DWU sports activities, which basically became his second family. Gary truly enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years, playing cards, golfing, fishing, camping, coaching his kids, attending sporting events for his kids and grandkids, and just being surrounding by his family and friends. He was a faithful man and a member of the Catholic Parish in Plankinton and was a current member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchell. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, where he met so many wonderful friends. This last summer, Gary enjoyed helping his nephew and brother work at the Wild Oak Country Club in Mitchell.  As you all know, Gary had a very large personality and was loved by many. He truly enjoyed always being there for others and would welcome you with a ‘Gary hug’. It didn’t matter if it was at PPC, a sporting event, on the golf course or just out and about, he would greet you like you were the most important person in his life. Gary’s family knows how important he was to so many people and how many lives he touched.

Gary shared 51 years of marriage with his wife, Janice; his children, Angie (Amber), Ryan, Abby (Tyler) Waldner, and Jena (Josh) Lawson; grandchildren: Eva and Bailor Kristensen, Skylar, Avery and Zoey Lawson, and Ford Waldner; and a brother, Ronnie and wife, Sandy.  Gary is also survived by many nieces, nephews, brothers & sisters in-law.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Wild Oak Golf Course or Fish Lake Golf Course for a memorial in Gary’s name.

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