Gary Paul Ness, Bloomington
Gary Paul Ness of Bloomington, MN, passed away peacefully while his family was reciting the rosary on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Fairview Southdale Hospital, Edina, MN. Visitation will be at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 9947 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN on Thursday, December 17, from 5-8pm (rosary at 7pm). Memorial Mass will follow on Friday, December 18, at 10am at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 9900 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington, MN. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Gary was born in 1929 to Clarence & Marcella (Schoeb) Ness in Albert Lea, MN. Gary graduated from Cleveland High School in 1947 and Mankato State (B.S. and M.S.). He taught and coached at Kellogg High School from 1951 through 1954. Gary served in the army after World War II in Hawaii. In 1962, Gary and Mary Margaret Dady (Kellogg High School & St. Teresa College graduate) were married at St. Felix Catholic Church, Wabasha, MN. After a honeymoon to the World’s Fair in Seattle, the couple made their home in the Los Angeles area where they lived for 6 years. In Los Angeles, Gary was a Guidance Counselor at El Rancho High School & a Financial Aid & Placement Director at Rio Hondo College. In 1968, Gary, Mary Margaret and two daughters, Mary Michelle & Ann Marie, returned to Minnesota where Gary worked as Financial Aid and Placement Director at the newly opened Normandale Community College in Bloomington. Blessed with good health, during his 25 years at Normandale, Gary never missed a day of work due to illness. During retirement Gary volunteered for several community & church-based organizations. Having a wide variety of interests, Gary enjoyed golfing, gardening, travel, watching sports & serving others when needed.
Gary is survived by his wife, Mary Margaret of Bloomington; two daughters, Mary Michelle van Wijk (Joseph) of Auckland, New Zealand; Ann Marie Bartz (Greg) of Eden Prairie; six grandchildren, Dan, Cally, Anna, Elizabeth, Julia, Sophia.
