Gary B. Workman

Gary Bryce Workman, 96, Moorhead, MN, passed away June 22, 2023, at his home, under care of Ethos Hospice, Home Instead Sandos Care, and surrounded by family.

Gary was born February 5, 1927, in Loami, IL, to Albert Thurman Workman and Rowena Grace Workman (Neel). He was raised on the family farm at Chatham, IL and graduated from Auburn Illinois High School in 1944.  On January 15, 1950, he was united in marriage to Barbara Ping in Auburn, IL and they were married for 70 years. Gary served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, stationed at Camp Breckenridge, Morganfield, KY.  In 1955 Gary and Barbara moved to Borup, MN to begin farming.  Together they ran a successful dairy operation and raised a nationally recognized Jersey dairy herd.  They retired from farming in 1992 but Gary continued to work part-time for the Felton Elevator in the spring for several years.  Gary and Barbara moved to Moorhead in 2010. 

Gary was a member of the American Jersey Cattle Club and served on the Borup School Board from 1970-1982.  He was a long-time member of Valley Christian Church in Moorhead.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and spouses: Byron (Mary) Workman, Dale (Pauline) Workman, Junior (Eileen) Workman, Dean (Maxine) Workman, Errol Workman and Arrah Jean (Claire) Schumaker, brother-in-law Eugene “Nub” McMillan, and his wife, Barbara in 2020. He is survived by his children, Allyn (Karen) Workman, Lake St. Louis, MO, and Debra Workman (partner Connie Pfefferkorn), Kyle, TX; grandchildren, Bryce Workman, Kansas City, KS, Brett Workman, Washington, MO, Matthew (Joanna) Best, Wentzville, MO, and Jennifer (Andrew) Decker, Lake St. Louis, MO; great-grandchildren, Lucas and Elijah Decker, Lake St. Louis, MO and Jayden Best, Wentzville, MO, sister-in-law Joan McMillan, Springfield, IL, and several nieces and nephews. 

A funeral service will be held Friday, June 30, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., with visitation for one hour before the service, at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN.  Interment will be in Cumberland Sugar Creek Cemetery in Auburn, IL. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or the Great Plains Food Bank.