Gary R. Edblad

Gary Ray Edblad, 85, of Stanchfield, MN passed away on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Levande by Vivie in Cambridge.

Gary was born November 17, 1939, in Blooming Prairie, MN to Reynold and Dorothy (Green) Edblad and grew up on a farm outside of Cambridge. He attended West Riverside School and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1957. After graduation he served honorably in the United States Navy on the USS Canberra and was part of its crew as it hosted the ceremony for the selection of the Unknown Soldier of World War II in 1958.

Following completion of his military service Gary worked for Donovan Brothers (later known as North Central Public Service) in Coon Rapids before obtaining his Master Plumbers License. He founded Cambridge Plumbing and Heating, the first of his several successful Cambridge based businesses, in the early 1970s. An entrepreneur by nature, Gary became a 50 plus year fixture of the downtown Cambridge Business Community with his additional businesses The Plumbery/Ace Hardware, Ace Retail Paint, Ace Pump and Well, and Ace Tack and Outfitters. Gary was a vocal booster and strong advocate for the downtown Cambridge Business Community over his career and was still running Ace Pump and Well in February 2024.

Gary was active in the life of the community outside of his business ventures as a lifelong member of Cambridge Lutheran Church and its Cemetery and Property Committees, as a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Campus of Anoka Ramsey Foundation and was a former member of the Cambridge Lions Club. Along with his brother, Cliff, he was a proud member of Howard McCarty Post 290 of the American Legion.

From 1960 to 1991 he was married to Sandra Johnson. In 2004 Gary married Jean Jones and together they became life and business partners. Gary and Jeanie enjoyed being with their family and friends, were well known “horse people”, and especially treasured  spending time together in Montana and Arizona

Besides his parents, Gary was preceded in death by grandson, Egan Chilcote and his beloved uncle Roger Green.

Gary is survived by his wife, Jean; children, Jeff (Debra) Edblad of Cambridge, Kristie (Gib) Wilson of Salt Lake City, UT, Kerri Edblad of Duluth, Karla Graham (Jason Hughes) of Cambridge; nine grandchildren Clark, Peter and Jillian Edblad, Sam, Grace and August Wilson, Gwen Chilcote, Devin and Olivia Graham; two great grandchildren, Ava and Hudson Edblad; brother Cliff (Sharon) Edblad of Cambridge; sister Evenna Lindberg of Braham; many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends

Memorial Service 11AM, Friday, March 28, 2025 at Cambridge Lutheran Church.  Visitation one hour prior to the service.  Interment in the church cemetery with Military Honors.

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