Gary W. Bartness dies at 67

Gary W. Bartness, age 67, of New Hampton, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 at his home with family and friends by his side, after a courageous four and a half year battle with brain cancer.A Memorial Service for Gary will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton with Pastor Kevin Frey officiating. Burial will be held at a later date.Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 at Conway-Markham Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Sunday. Online condolences for Gary’s family may be left at www.conway-markhamfh.com. Memorials may be directed to the family. Gary Wayne was born on April 8, 1949 to Robert and Clareen (Mobraaten) Bartness in Fergus Falls, Minn. He attended and graduated from Elbow Lake High School in 1967. Upon graduating Gary attended Ohio University in Athens, OH. He began his lifelong career with Hillandale Farms in 1971 in Ohio, moving to New Hampton in 1972. In 1974, his daughter, Lisa Christina was born. On September 17, 1988, Gary was united in marriage to Pamela Anne Larsen at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hampton. In 1990, the couple welcomed their only son, Eric Robert. Gary was devoted to his career, but always made time for his family and friends. He was passionate about hunting, fishing, and traveling; regularly returning to his home in Northern Minnesota to enjoy the outdoors. Gary also shared his time with the community he called home volunteering for local civic charities and egg industry organizations. Gary is survived by his wife, Pamela Bartness of New Hampton; his mother, Clareen Bartness of Elbow Lake, Minn; his children, Lisa (Brent) Reich of Billings, MT and Eric Bartness of New Hampton, along with extended family members.He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Bartness.