Gary Douglas Oja was born September 6, 1950, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, the son of Joan (Hansen) and Donald Oja, and was raised in Pengilly. Gary died unexpectedly at the University of Minnesota Medical Center on January 26, 2024.  In his youth, his summers were filled with playing Little League baseball, golfing at the Swan Lake golf course, riding bikes around Swan Lake with his brother and friends, stopping for a dip in the lake then heading over to Ann's Café for ice cream. He delivered the daily newspaper and had to enlist the help of his mother on occasion.  In the fall, there was grouse hunting with his faithful spring spaniels and deer hunting with his dad and brother on Uncle Jake's farm in Jacobson.  Winter brought ice skating on the local rink and playing hockey goalie for the Pengilly Pumpkins where he saw many shots on goal.

Gary graduated from Greenway High School in 1968 and was very proud to be a Greenway Raider and was exuberant when singing the Greenway Raiders' Fight Song!  He attended Itasca Junior College and went onto graduate from St. Cloud State College with a degree in accounting. Gary later went on to complete his CPA license.

Gary was united in marriage to Kim I. Mehelich on February 19, 1977 and together they raised their two sons, Peter Jason and Neal Jacob.  Gary deeply loved his wife, Kim, and was completely devoted to her. Through Kim, he found his playful side which opened up a new world for him.  Gary became the chief financial officer for Industrial Lubricant Company in 1990.  In 2004, he was promoted to president of Industrial Lubricant where his servant-leadership style was invaluable.  He continued this role until his retirement in 2016.

He loved his wife, Kim, his sons, his grandkids, extended family, and his country! People were drawn to Gary because he listened and always offered a kind, encouraging and genuine reply.  He was a man with many fine attributes – integrity, honor, dependability and loyalty to name a few. Being a perfectionist, Gary was extremely pleased when all of his spreadsheets balanced!  Gary was very generous and charitable to his church, community, and others.  Gary's passion for the outdoors was evident in his desire to hunt and fish and make them all adventures.

Gary can be remembered as a gentleman who would take time to nap, celebrate St. Urho Day on March 16th each year, and was extremely proud of his 51% Finnish Heritage.  Like every good Finlander, he took saunas to relax or fight a cold. A favorite food included eating pasties, and ma's date cookies. Above all, he was a humble man who loved the Lord and walked by faith modeling an unwavering example of integrity and devotion in his personal and public life.

Gary has been actively involved in several local organizations. He served as Treasurer of the Grand Rapids Kiwanis Club for 39 years. Additionally, he held positions as Director and Treasurer at the Itasca Economic Development Association from 2016 to 2020. Gary was currently serving as Wabana Township Supervisor Liaison for the Wabana Recreational Complex Committee. He was involved in many more community activities and mission trips too numerous to mention.

Gary will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 47 years, Kim; sons, Peter (Jill) Oja and Neal (Jennifer) Oja; four grandchildren, Noah Oja, and Abigail, Makenzie, and Avery Oja; mother, Joan Oja; sister, Deborah (Brien) Johnson; brother, Michael (Sharon) Oja; brother-in-law, Michael (Carol) Mehelich; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of colleagues and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Oja; mother-in-law, Dorothy Mehelich; father-in-law and stepmother-in-law, Clifford and Viola Mehelich; brother-in-law, Frank Mehelich; and sister-in-law, Nancy Martell.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, February 5th at Grand Rapid Evangelical Free Church, 34384 County Road 63, Grand Rapids, MN.  A celebration to honor Gary's life will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, February 6th at the church.

Gary's service will be livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/@grandrapidsevangelicalfree6072/streams.  Inurnment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Coleraine, MN at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are preferred to Wabana Recreational Complex Project (https://gracf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3199).