Cloudy, 28° F
(Aug. 8, 2006)
Gary Alan Severson died Tuesday, Aug. 8 in Cody. He was 39.
He was born on April 10, 1967, in Williston, N.D., to Kenneth and Janette (Jacobson) Severson, where he was baptized in the Lutheran faith. In September 1971, he moved to Cody with his parents and siblings, Janelle, Carol, and Kevin. He graduated in 1986. Gary was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Cody.
On Sept. 26, he married DeeAnn Bilharz. To this union, a son, Seth Alan, was born on Feb. 6, 1993. Gary and DeeAnn divorced several years later.
Gary worked in service stations, in the oil fields, fast food eateries (including McDonald's) in hot-stamp packaging at Y-Tex Corporation, as a chef, and for the past three years on a commercial fishing boat based out of Seattle, Wash., and Dutch Harbor, Alas.
He had many talents including basketball, snow and water skiing, bowling, roller skating, riding cycles, table pool, cooking, cards, swimming, hackie sack, and driving fast cars. As a teen and young adult he loved helping his Dad service his 18-wheeler and driving and backing it into the shop. Gary had many Hispanic friends whom he loved like family, namely Sal, Armondo. Michael and Cos.
After his sister Carol's death two years ago, life was not the same for Gary. They had such a unique relationship. They would smile and laugh together. He was lonely for so many people in addition to her. As a young child , his big sister Janelle was like a second mother to him. And his brother Kevin idolized him. Despite Gary's problems and struggles, his father, mother, family and many others always loved him and he knew that.
Gary is survived by his son Seth in Texas; mother Janette Severson Bell (Duane) Ahmann of Minot, ND; a sister Janelle (Bill) Garaas; a brother Kevin; brother-in-law Rich Richter; nephews Chad Garaas and Kenny Richter; nieces Kristi (Scott) Vaughn and Kayla Richter; grandniece Kendal Vaughn; grandnephews Alex, Tyler, and Matthew Vaughn and Christian Garaas, all of Cody.
Cremation arrangements were handled by Ballard Funeral Home, Cody. Private services for family and friends will be announced later.
