Gary J. Palmquist

Gary John Palmquist, age 77, passed away on November 10, 2019, in Denver, Colorado.

Gary John Palmquist was born on June 25, 1942, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Arvid and Bernice (Sullivan) Palmquist. Gary graduated from Edison High School in 1960, and in 1961 he began a 30-year career in telecommunications, first with Western Electric, then with Northwestern Bell. In 1964, Gary was drafted into the US Army. He received his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and was trained to be a Medical Corpsman at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas. After a six- month tour of active duty in Texas, Gary was released into the Army Reserves. He returned to work in Minneapolis, and was then transferred to Omaha, Nebraska.

Gary married Marilyn Thur in Omaha, in 1965. They were blessed with two children, Susan and Steven. His marriage to Marilyn ended in divorce. In 1979, Gary married Brenda (Rothchild) Braga, and Gary gained a step-daughter, Stephanie, who was 3 years old at the time. They spent many family vacations with the three children at Leech Lake, in northern Minnesota, and in the Twin Cities area visiting Gary's family. They also went camping and fishing, and created many family traditions.

In 1990, Gary accepted an early retirement from US West, and in 1991, Brenda's job was relocated to Denver. They celebrated Stephanie's high school and college graduations, Susan and Steve's marriages, and the births of four of their grandchildren while in Colorado.

In 2002, Gary and Brenda moved to Lindstrom, Minnesota. Gary was excited to get back to his roots, and became fully immersed in his retirement. He did a lot of fishing and hunting with his brother, Neil. Or, he could be found at Chisago Lakes Golf Course, where he had his second hole-in-one! Gary enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. He loved spending the holidays with the kids and grandkids, and he loved their visits to Minnesota each summer. Over the years, each of the grandkids took a turn at ""driving"" Gary's pontoon, while sitting on his lap.

Gary started having balance, mobility and memory issues in 2014, and was diagnosed in 2016, with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder with no known cause, and no cure. In 2017 Gary and Brenda moved back to Colorado. And, in 2018, as Gary became more debilitated, he moved to Sunrise at Pinehurst Senior Living.

Gary is survived by his daughter Susan (Marty) Day of Littleton, Colorado, son Steve Palmquist of Lincoln, Nebraska, and step-daughter Stephanie Braga (Chris Thompson) of Gypsum, Colorado; grandchildren Nate Day, Katie Day, Brooklyn Palmquist, Daniel Palmquist, Mason Thompson and Miles Thompson; sisters Shirley Nelson, Margaret Langlais, Sharon (Jim) Bredumus, and Judy Palmquist; brother Neil (Retha) Palmquist; father-in-law Garold Rothchild; sister-in-law Cheryl (Jack) Johnson; brother-in-law Randy (Brenda) Rothchild; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Gary is also survived by a daughter Cheryl (Raschke) Meyers from a previous marriage, his former spouse, Marilyn Palmquist, and former sisters-in-law, Gaye Bass, and Carole (Leon) Spacil and their families.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jimmy Palmquist, sister Carol Palmquist, brother-in-laws Don Nelson and Jim Langlais, and mother-in-law Mabel Rothchild.

The family greatly appreciates family and friends who have lovingly supported them on Gary's journey these past five years. And they will never forget the loving care that Gary received at Sunrise at Pinehurst, and the angels at Suncrest Hospice.

A memorial service will be held in the Family Chapel at Horan & McConaty, 3101 South Wadsworth Blvd.in Lakewood, Colorado on Friday, November 22, at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The family will host a luncheon gathering in the reception area, adjacent to the chapel, immediately following the service. A committal service will be held at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to CurePSP, or the Mayo Clinic (with designation for PSP and other Neurodegenerative disorders).

Memorial Service: November 22, 2019 11:00 am

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227

Reception: November 22, 2019 12:00 pm

Horan & McConaty - SW Denver/Lakewood
3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80227