Gary W. Olsby

Gary was born in Valley City, ND, on October 16, 1937 to Manley and Pauline Serba Olsby. During school years, the family moved to Redfield, SD, later returning to Valley City in 1954, where Gary graduated from high school. He entered the Armed Service in October 1956, attending Hospital Corp School at Bainbridge, Maryland, Marine Corp. recruit depot for one year in San Diego, and field medical training in Camp Pendleton, CA. Gary was transferred overseas to Iwakuni, Japan, 1st Marine Airwing for a year and then on to maneuvers in South Korea, being discharged in 1960 as HM3-Hosp. Man 3rd Class. On November 27, 1968 he married January Winjum in Fargo, ND, and together they made their home in Fargo. Gary worked for the Esquire Barber Shop as a master barber until opening his own shop, Barber Villa, located in the Professional Building. He later worked for Westgo Industries and United Power Equipment until he retired due to his disabilities due to cancer. In 2002 they built their home on Shell Lake, rural Osage, MN, where they have resided since. His work as an artist, specifically his talents as a wood sculpture have given him great pride. Perhaps the most acclaimed of his work has been the carving of the head, tail and rudder of the Hjemkomst and the bust of Bob Asp, all currently on view at the Hjemkomst Center, Moorhead, MN. Gary is survived by his wife, January; sons, Tyler and Travis Missy Olsby; grandsons, Quinton and Chance; granddaughter, Chloe; brother, Manley "Rip" Olsby; his nieces and nephews; and also his granddogs, Lexi and Runner. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Pauline and Manley; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Esther and Herman Weiss. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Kobrinsky and the staff at Roger Maris Cancer Center for the exceptional care and friendship over the years.