Leonard W. Gaare

LEONARD WAYNE GAARE, age 80 of Waterville, died on Friday, October 21, 2016 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Born on January 21, 1936 in Vernon Center, Minnesota, he was the son of Olaf and Gertrude (Meinhold) Gaare.  He attended school in Mankato, graduating from Bethany Lutheran.  He served in the US Army until his honorable discharge in 1960.  Leonard married Suzanne Lee Sampson on February 6, 1965 in Mankato.  He was employed with Craftsmen Plastering in Mankato until purchasing the Main Street Lounge in Waterville in 1980.  They owned and operated it until 1998 when it was sold to their daughter, Kelly and husband Denny.  He continued to work there until November 1, 2014.   Leonard was a lifetime member of the Waterville Sportsman’s Club.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, crossword puzzles, going to the casino, visiting with people and playing bingo.

He is survived by four children, Kelly (Dennis) Delaske of Waterville, Wayne (Deb) Baumgartner of Mankato, Kim (Chris) Seys of Mankato, and Kris (Ray) Lotton of Eagle Lake; 10 grandchildren, Dyson (Shanell) Delaske, Nicole (Seth) Delaske, Heather Baumgartner, Trevor (Rochelle) Baumgartner, Devon (Rebecca) Baumgartner, Jamie (Barry) Wolfe, Jen (Guy) Kimpton, Jessica Lotton, Nathan (Katie) Lotton, and Nicholas (Amanda) Lotton; and 14 great grandchildren.  He is also survived by three siblings, Loretta (Gerald) Hoffman of St. James, Kenneth Gaare of St. Cloud, and Diane (Raymond) Schrupp of Waconia.  He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and one brother, Warren Gaare.

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