GARY L. IHRY

Gary Lee Ihry Gary Lee Ihry, 66, of Hope, ND passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday the 22nd of November, 2016 at the University of Minnesota, after complications with his heart procedure. He was born in Valley City, ND on February 3, 1950, son of the late Adolph Ihry and Ardis (McCullough) Ihry. He was a graduate of Hope High School in May of 1968, excelling in all sports, most especially football. Gary later attended North Dakota State University in the fall of 1968. On May 23, 1970 Gary married his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret Tretter at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Hope, ND. Gary and Mary were active in the community, focusing on family and various business ventures, including Ihry Insurance Agency, Inc. They forever cherished fishing, gaming and taking trips with their many friends. Gary was a very generous, hardworking person with a “heart of gold”. He would always proudly introduce himself with a booming voice, strong handshake, and smile telling everyone he was from Hope, ND!! He served on many local and regional boards including being Mayor of Hope, Steele County JDA, M-Power Wind Development, Hope Fire and Ambulance and countless others, donating his time for the betterment of people, the economy and his local communities. Gary was most proud of his large family, his faith in God, founding Ihry Insurance Agency, Ihry Farms and The City of Hope. There was nothing in this world he wouldn’t do to support the cause, whatever that may have been. He was always there for someone or something in need, with a heartwarming personality, contagious smile and overwhelming passion for being the “eternal optimist”. Gary is survived by his 3 daughters, Dawn Marie (Matthew) Huffman, Lisbon, ND, Kimberly Kay (Jeffrey) Schneider, Langdon, ND and Karla Jean (Bryan) Gerhardt, Woodbury, MN; one son Shane Ryder (Jerilyn) Larck, Page, ND; 11 Grandchildren, Sisters Connie (Woody) Caspers, Battle Lake, MN, Lori (Tim) Powell, Hope, ND, Mary Ann (Rod) Ihry, Minot, ND; Brothers Wade (Marilyn) Ihry, Hope, ND, Reed (Michelle) Ihry, West Fargo, ND, Neal Ihry, Hope, ND, Dale (Brenda) Ihry, Fargo, ND and Keith (Brenda) Ihry, Hope, ND; Brothers in law, Dick (Pedo) Tretter, Hope, ND, Jerry Tretter, Fargo, ND and Jim (Emmy) Tretter, Fairmount, ND and many, many beloved Nieces and Nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 46 years, Mary Margaret, parents Adolph and Ardis, twin siblings Mary & Joseph, brother in law Robert Tretter and in-laws Andrew and Margaret Tretter. Gary’s legacy will forever leave a footprint on the thousands of people he has touched throughout his short life. God Bless the Memory of Gary L. Ihry. Funeral services will be Monday, November 28, 2016 at 11:00 am at St. Agatha’s Catholic Church in Hope, ND. Visitation will be Sunday, November 27, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at the Hope High School and one hour before services in the church. There will be Prayer Service at 7:00 Sunday in the School. Interment will be at the Hope Cemetery, Hope, ND. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to St. Agatha’s Catholic Church and the Hope Cemetery.