Gary James Meidinger, age 69, of Miles City passed away on December 29, 2019, at Havasu Regional Hospital in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Gary was born in Wishek, North Dakota, on August 2, 1950, to Oscar E. and Amanda C. Meidinger. He attended schools in Terry, Montana, and graduated from Terry High School. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served active duty in Vietnam from August 2, 1970, to August 3, 1971. He then served in the Reserves until he was honorably discharged.
On September 23, 1972, Gary married LeAnn Hess in Glendive, Montana. They operated Gary’s Market while they started a family. In 1981, they moved to Miles City where he worked for Associated Food Stores. He began working as a salesman at Hardesty Real Estate in 1990, obtained his broker’s license, and became a partner in the business in 1997.
In 2014, Gary retired, and in August 2016 he moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, with his significant other, Sheila Kale.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, traveling, golfing, watching football, and (maybe most notably) teasing anyone in his path. If you were ever on the receiving end of his slightly warped sense of humor, you most likely have a story or two to tell.
Gary is survived by his daughters, Junita (Jess) Drange and grandson Chase, Tiffany (fiancé Musa Kamara and sons Mohamed and Ismail) Meidinger; significant other, Sheila Kale; brothers Glen Meidinger, Gale (Lana) Meidinger, and Grant Meidinger; sisters Vivian Meidinger, Virginia (Roger) Rock, Vera Seteren, and Vicky Meidinger; as well as numerous nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 35 years, LeAnn Meidinger; and nephew, Richard Seteren, Junior.
Cremation has already taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday January 18, 2020, with burial at 11 a.m. at the Custer County Cemetery, followed by a reception at Range Riders Museum – Memorial Hall. Please join us and take the opportunity to share your stories and get in those last jabs at Dad. He won’t get the last word this time!
Should friends desire, the family would like donations directed to Erin’s Hope Project in Miles City.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 18, 2020
Custer County Cemetery
Miles City, Montana 59301
Reception
Following Service
Saturday January 18, 2020
Range Riders Museum Memorial Hall
Miles City , Montana 59301
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Jessie Leidholt says
Sorry to hear about Gary, much too young to leave us. I enjoyed knowing him and working with him.
Bob and Rita George says
So sorry, He always had a smile and will be missed. Keeping you in our prayers.
Pat and Monte Herzog says
Sorry for your loss.. when I told Kaci you’d lost your Dad she said she liked him because he always visited with her at your brandings and she really enjoyed him. . Will hold you guy’s in our prayers in the days to come.. your Dad was a great person with a big heart. .love and prayers to all of you
Paula Flowers says
RIP Gary … Great man with a HUGE heart. My deepest condolences to the family and Miles City Community. Praying for his girls. Hugs Tiffany.
Jean says
I am saddened to hear this. My prayers are with you all.
Melanie M. Patch says
My condolences to Gary’s loved ones. We used to joke how he hated my christmas lights, and id promise bigger and brighter every year. I enjoyed our visits. I will remember him fondly.
Gregg Fandrich says
I did’nt know Gary long, but he was a great guy. He will be missed.
Brenda Little says
So so sorry..Gary and his wife were beatiful souls. Rest in Peace Gary💖
Ray and Sheri Clauson says
We are so sorry. Gary was one of the nicest guys ever – always enjoyed being around him.
Lori Blaede says
I am so sorry my friends. You both are in my thoughts and prayers. He was a great man with a huge heart.
Iva Kirkpatrick says
So sorry to see this. Our Thoughts and Prayers to all the Meidinger families.
From the other Meidinger families.
Joyleen Kalfell says
My thoughts and prayers to the family of one-of-a-kind guy💜. So glad I was able to visit with him last year in Terry! BTW was December 29th LeAnn’s birthday? Cherish your memories as I know I am given I have oodles of these two previous people.
Ray and Terri Schmidt says
Oh my gosh!!! We are so, so sorry to hear this!! I always loved Gary and his quick wit and fun personality. He always had such a twinkle in his eye and you never knew what he was thinking. He will be missed by so many. Please know you are all in our hearts and thoughts!!
Kem n Karen Strobel says
So sorry to hear this! You are in our thoughts and prayers. We have had so many good memories with Gary and LeAnn. Gone way to young.
Kelly Hoagland says
My fond memory of Gary is when he would check our (Dad’s and mine) daily milk delivery to the store that he worked at in the 60’s. He always had a smile!!! Condolences and prayers for the family…
Jim says
We are so sorry to hear this news. Our sympathy to the family and thoughts are with you. We really enjoyed our visits with Gary over the years.
Jim & Mary Ann Liles
Teri says
My heart felt condolences. I loved to argue with Gary. A formidable foe. I will miss huh im
Tom and Barb Voegele says
So nice to read so many thoughts about Gary. We knew him and Shelia from Lake Havasu City, AZ. He was a great guy, with a quick wit, and fun personality. Will miss him when we visit this spring. RIP Tom & Barb
Garth Sleight says
In the fall of 1990, after having lived in Miles City for just over four years, my wife and I decided it was finally time to take the plunge and buy our first house. As it turned out, Gary was the real estate agent who shepherded us through that overwhelming process. Our finances were really tight, but the housing market had tanked, so it was definitely a buyer’s market at that time. Therefore, we felt an urgency to take advantage of the situation. Hardesty was not the agency representing the house we would eventually buy, so Gary’s commission was going to be much smaller than it would have been had we been looking at a Hardesty house. All that notwithstanding, Gary figuratively moved heaven and earth to help us buy the house that has now been our home for over 29 years. He was truly the difference maker in our daunting effort to buy a house, and we will ever be grateful for his cheerfulness and tenacity in working with some buyers who were feeling overwhelmed by the process of buying our first, and so far only, house. Thank you Gary, and to Gary’s family, please know that we express our sincere condolences at this time of sadness.
Darlene L Strobel says
To the Meidingers: My love and prayers are with you. I know your loss is great. I’ve known this fine young man since ’62 or ’63 when he was just a kid! The Meidingers are like family. My deepest sympathies to each of you.
Love,
Darlene
Jodi Wootan (Fischer) says
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. I hadn’t realized he had moved away but that would explain why I haven’t seen him out dancing. My thoughts are with his family.
Tim and Diane Ehman says
Prayers and condolences to the Meidinger families. I have known them all my life. Gary was a great, friendly guy.
Skip and Valarie Cooper says
Juanita, Tiffany and The entire family of Gary Meidinger. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all during this time of personal loss. May the Lord provide you with Loving and Happy Memories to help heal the ache in your hearts from losing a loved one. It was always a pleasure to see you dad over the years, even though it wasn’t that often. Sorry that we won’t be able to attend his memorial service, but you will be on our minds. With our Deepest Sympathy!
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
So very sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. As a former real estate lender, I had the privilege of working with Gary on several home sales and enjoyed getting to know another Meidinger. My sincere sympathy to all his family and close friends.
Sheila Kale says
There are no words for how much I am missing him. Rest in Peace my Love.
Susan Swanson says
We met Gary in Lake Havasu and grew to like and appreciate his playful personality. He will be missed by many of his neighbors here.😥
Bruce Swanson says
Will miss Sunday Football & your sense of humor Gary. You made our days in Lake Havasu so much fun . Will really miss you RIP
Mary Lynn and Kevin Marrie says
Our little condo complex is not going to be the same without Gary sitting outside the slider in Lake Havasu and greeting us after our long drive from Illinois. Kevin and I are so fortunate to have become friends with Gary and Sheila. I never thought saying goodbye in September would be the last time we would see him. Kevin and I enjoyed Gary’s wit and understood his sense of humor that always kept us entertained. RIP and know you are and will be missed and remembered.
Ed & Shirley Hodges says
We are definitely missing him here in Lake Havasu! He was such an easy going guy and loved being in this complex! He was happy sitting on his back porch, visiting all his friends, playing cards and loving Sheila and his dog Tinker! We are all missing him sitting on his porch visiting and getting together with all his friends! The people here miss him and want his family to know he was loved here and we are all missing him!!
DezaRae Meidinger says
RIP my uncle gary you were always fun to be around gonna miss your sense of humor ….
John W Clark says
A great family sorry for your loss.
Jean Trask Brown says
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT GARY, HE WASN’T SUPPOSED TO LEAVE SO SOON. HE WAS A GREAT BOY WHO GREW TO BE A GREAT GUY.
AS SOON AS YOU MET HIM HE WAS YOUR FRIEND. HE HAS ALREADY BEEN MISSED IN M.C. HE HAS A NEW PLACE TO TELL STORIES, AND HAVE FUN. LOVE TO ALL THE MEIDINGER KIDS
Dick meidinger says
I was so honored to me him and talk about the meidinger family he will be so missed never. Refuse to give any one a helping hand rest in piece my friend will miss you dick meidinger
Dick Meidinger says
So sorry! Meant to say he will be missed and never refused to give anyone a helping hand !
Ann Swanson says
He made our lake Havasu winters so much fun! Always in a friendly happy mood! And watching over things when we won’t around !! He will be greatly missed by all ! RIP Gary and God Bless you and your family at these sad times!!
Claude says
Our condolences to the Gary Meidinger family. It has been too long since we have seen you, but our thoughts are with you in this time of sorrow.
William Meidinger
Claude and Laurie Meidinger
M G says
When someone we love fall asleep in death the memories we have of them become our treasure. So take time to grieve and find comfort in knowing that God is near all those calling on Him. Psalms 145:18. My condolences to the family.