Howard “Andy” Gag, age 96 of Prior Lake, passed away while surrounded by his family on Monday, March 13, 2017. A visitation will be held Thursday, May 4, 2017 from 4-7PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake. Additional services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Marshall, with a mass at 10:30AM and visitation 9:30-10:30AM. Howard will be laid to rest at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Attendees of the funeral in Marshall are invited to join the family as they ride their bicycles in the two-mile procession from Holy Redeemer Catholic Church to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice in honor of Howard.
On May 23, 1920 in Marshall, MN, Andrew and Eleanor Gag celebrated the birth of their son, Howard Andrew Gag. He grew up in Marshall and was a graduate of the Marshall High School class of 1938. Following his graduation, Howard attended the College of Pharmacy at South Dakota State University.
In September of 1942, Howard entered the medical corps with the United States Army Air Force. He served in Lincoln, NE, and Guam before receiving his honorable discharge in February of 1946. During his time in Lincoln, Howard exchanged wedding vows with the love of his life, Mary Mclaughlin, at St. Mary’s Cathedral on April 2, 1945. This union was blessed with two daughters and 44 wonderful years of marriage. Howard’s life was forever altered by Mary’s death in August of 1989.
Following the war, Howard and his brother joined their father in operating Gag’s Rexall Drug Store in Marshall. In 1967, Howard sold the business. While he still worked part time at the store, he committed himself to being a relief pharmacist—offering temporary coverage for pharmacists when they went on vacation.
Howard was a member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed playing solitaire and watching football, baseball, and basketball. Howard was best known for riding his bike throughout town, up to 20 miles a day. Howard would always say, “If you saw a man too old to ride a bike down the street, it was probably me.” This pastime began when his daughter Kathy graduated high school and Howard traded in her bike for one of his own.
In 1990 at a high school reunion, Howard rekindled his friendship with classmate Beth Dhoore Peterson. His life was enriched when they married in Sterling, CO, on May 6, 2006. The couple moved to Prior Lake in October of 2014.
Howard’s quick wit and frugality will be always be remembered by his daughters, Kathryn “Kathy” (David Maguire) Gag and Patricia “Tricia” (George) Scheffler-Ladd; grandchildren, Karissa Penske, Andrew (Katie) Scheffler; step-grandchildren, Amy Carpenter, Jennifer (Greg) Mertens, Audra (Brandon) Cathy; 5 and ¾ great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Cecilia Gag; other loving family and friends.
Howard will be welcomed into heaven by his first wife, Mary; second wife, Elizabeth; brother, Willard Gag; sister, Eleanor Gag; and parents.
