Gary Lee Drievold of Richfield, Minnesota, and formerly of Decorah, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the age of 77.

Services are pending at this time.

Gary was born in Decorah, Iowa, on April 28, 1948. Part of his heart remained in the rivers, bluffs, fields, and establishments of Winneshiek County. Drafted at the height of the Vietnam conflict, Gary served in the US Army. His exposure to Agent Orange as a combat infantryman is suspected to have contributed to his later serious health issues. The GI Bill allowed him to earn a degree and become a tax accountant with Cargill in Minneapolis. Gary loved music, diet Dr. Pepper, a good time with friends, fishing, canoeing, and camping. He had no objection to the recent laws in Minnesota legalizing recreational marijuana. He ventured into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on several trips, solo and with friends, and treasured these experiences, entertaining grandchildren with stories of how to build a campfire and close encounters with bear cubs and other wildlife. More recent travels included civil war battlefields, Washington DC, graduations, dance recitals, and other joys of grandparenthood.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gail Garvey; children Denise (Tom) Barber and Erik (Heather) Drievold; bonus children, Ellen (Cris Wakiiri) Schott, Elizabeth Watters, Charles (Alicia Asuncion) Schott, and Lewis (Eden) Istok; grandchildren, Aydian and Morgan, Paige, Bianca, Tosh, Lucien, Samuel, Leona, and June; former spouse, Christine Thompson; mother, Mavis Frey; sister, Judy (Raymond) Koshatka; niece Tonya Hughes(Tory) and five wonderful great-nieces.

Preceded in death by his infant son, Wade Drievold; father, Kenneth Drievold; stepfather, Darrell Frey; niece, Anita Hesse; and great-great-nephew, Carter Howe.