Gary Lavern Vogt was born October 16th, 1941 to Martin and Vergie (Green) Vogt at the family home in Herrick, SD. After a courageous battle with cancer, he left this earth with his loving family by his side, holding the Lord's hand for his journey home.

Gary grew up in Herrick, SD and graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1959. He moved to Sioux Falls, SD where he owned and operated three Phillips 66 gas station/repair shops. In 1968 he moved to Fairfax, SD where he also owned and operated an auto repair and welding shop for a few years. He then moved his family to Bonesteel, SD where he was a well respected business man running Vogt & Sons Trucking, Vogt & Sons Feed & Supply, and the Bonesteel Elevator. In his retirement years he and his wife built their beautiful dream home outside of Bonesteel where they raised cattle, chickens, and assorted other feathered friends.

On March 8, 1968 Gary was married to Mary Ellen (Jensen) Stuckers in Winner, SD. To this union one daughter, Rosemary Vogt (Dave Balcome), was born. She joined 5 siblings: Vickie (Stuckers) Stueck (Orvie) of Lincoln, NE; John Vogt of Bonesteel, SD; Tony (Sue) Vogt of Bonesteel, SD; Linda (Willie) Vogt-Sieh of Elkhorn, NE; and Lori Stuckers (Cory Dale) of Manhattan Beach, CA.

Gary was a long time active member in the Zion Lutheran church in Bonesteel. He was a big fan of country music, playing guitar and singing in a local band in his younger years, often joined by his wife Mary Ellen. He also loved going camping with family and friends and working in his wood shop building memorable keepsakes for his kids and grandkids. In the summertime you could find him working for hours in the garden, with his specialty being sweet corn. He especially looked forward to all the visits from his grandchildren. Gary, our dear husband, dad, grandpa, and friend, was generous, would do anything for anybody, had a sharp wit, and kept his sense of humor all the way to the end of his wonderful life.

Gary is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Ellen; 6 children; 15 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 6 siblings: Velva June Blum, Margaret Schmitz, Roy (Shirley) Vogt, Lila Baldwin, Earl (Darlene) Vogt, Ronnie (Deb) Vogt, many nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Vergie Vogt, and one sister, Shirley Neilan.