p>Gary Braxton Glomstad, age 88, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away unexpectedly Saturday, September 7, 2024.

Gary was born in Montevideo, MN on February 22, 1936, to Henry and Agnes (Hegland) Glomstad. He graduated from Montevideo High School and then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN where he graduated with honors in 1958. While at Concordia he met his future wife, LoRaine Kjorsvik, and they were married on August 10, 1958. Gary then attended the University of Minnesota Medical School, graduating in 1962. He served an internship year at Bethesda Lutheran Hospital in St. Paul, MN. Gary began his medical career in Deer River, MN before moving to Grand Rapids in 1969. He joined the Grand Rapids Clinic until his retirement in 1999.

Gary was a member of many civic and social organizations over the years including being a charter member of the Star of the North Lions Club, Masons, Shriners, and Jesters. He served on the school board of District #317 in Deer River and was involved in the bonding and planning of the new high school complex. Gary was on the founding board of the Itasca Community College Foundation and served the college for 20 years as athletic team physician. He was an ardent booster for Concordia College, proud to be a "Cobber" and served a term on the college's alumni board. He served on the board of Grand Itasca Hospital and Clinic during the years of ownership change and site planning for the new facility on Golf Course Road. Gary delivered almost 3,000 babies during his medical career and was the first Grand Itasca physician to hire a nurse practitioner.

Gary enjoyed duck hunting and had the good fortune to spend many fall seasons at Camp Wabigama on Bowstring Lake. His grandsons were always delighted when they were invited to camp for a weekend of hunting. Gary and LoRaine loved the northern woods and lakes. They lived most of their lives on the shores of Pokegama Lake and it was there where they raised their four children – Laurie, Cindy, Steve, and Gina.  They felt fortunate to have them all settle nearby. They moved to The Pillars Senior Living in 2022. They loved to travel and were able to explore their proud Norwegian ancestry on trips to Norway. They enjoyed cruises on the Danube, Rhine, and Columbia rivers and Caribbean Sea. Later after Gary's retirement, they spent time at Burnt Store Marina in Florida and Mesa, Arizona during some of the winter months.

Gary loved the game of golf and took several golf trips, including a few to Scotland. Getting to play occasionally with his grandsons on Pokegama Lake Golf Course was a special time. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the game of Bridge. Gary was a man of faith and a member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1969. He will be remembered for his kind and gentle demeanor and will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Agnes Glomstad. Gary is survived by LoRaine his wife of 66 years; brother Gale of Fargo, ND; four children Laurie Passard (Charles Larson) of Grand Rapids, MN, Cindy (Gary) DeGrio of Grand Rapids, MN, Steven (Tracey) Glomstad of Vicksburg, MS, Gina (Brett) Wilson of Savage, MN; nine grandchildren Arie (Angie) DeGrio of Grand Rapids, MN, Lindsey (Randy) Topper of Cohasset, MN, Andrew Swihart of Minneapolis, MN, Raynee (Matthew) Revard of Syracuse, NY, Weston Glomstad of Stevens Point, WI, Markie (Richard) Guerra of Burnsville, MN, Chase Glomstad of Duluth, MN, Ryan Wilson of Carver, MN, Jack Wilson of Savage, MN; six great grandchildren Croix Topper, Lakely Topper, Annika Revard, Vincent Guerra, Louis Guerra, and Norah DeGrio.

Visitation will be Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 9:30 AM at Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MN with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM. Reverend George Gilbertson will officiate. Inurnment will immediately follow at the Zion Lutheran Church Columbarium.

Memorials in Gary's memory may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church, Grand Itasca Foundation, or a charity of the donor's choice.