Obituary - Gary W. Grant

Gary W. Grant was welcomed into Heaven the morning of April 14, 2020, at the young age of 86. His fight with Alzheimer's had ended.

Gary was born November 8, 1933, in Havre, Montana to Lee Moses and Doris (Ranger) Grant. He lived his young life in Havre with his parents and sister, Nancy. He graduated from Havre High School, where he was an outstanding basketball and football player.

Gary married Elizabeth Ann Cleary, June 8, 1952, and the couple had a busy life raising their five children throughout their 40 years of marriage. Gary was a devoted husband and father, working at MDU and later for Osborn Chemical Company.

Gary's life in Havre was filled with a variety of unique jobs, with most of his working years spent self-employed and maintaining his properties on Havre's north side, where some knew him as the "mayor of North Havre." He started the City Upholstery business with Gordie Stenhjem, owned Tri-County Spraying Service and ran the Hill County Septic Tank service.

As busy as he was, he still found time to shoot hoops in the alley, attend his children's sporting events and piano recitals, and join his family at the lake cabin to swim and boat.

He loved spending time with friends, singing around a piano, watching football and playing in the Shriners Band. Gary was a nut about fixing and refinishing vehicles to his specifications, and he spent hundreds of hours in his shop area, later named the Red Rose Room. You could find him painting rental property, fences, cars and shoes in his later years.

He was a proud member of the Havre community and the Masonic Lodge, and threw his hat in the political arena when he ran for County Commissioner. Gary was a giving, caring person, looking out for those who needed a helping hand.

In January of 1993, he and Shelley Heimdahl Andersen rekindled their friendship, evolving into great love and admiration. They married June 18, 1993, in the Bearpaw Mountains surrounded by family and friends, and spent 27 years enjoying a life shared together as friends and partners. Their lives were filled with laughter, fun, and quirkiness, sharing a similar sense of humor, dressing up on Halloween, styling around with hats, sunglasses and crazy getups. They got a kick out of entertaining friends and making people look twice. In their travels to Minnesota, they enjoyed taking in NFL football, Garrison Keeler, and treasured their time with family and friends.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Doris and Lee Grant; former wife, Betty Ann Grant; parents-in-law, Finn and Alice Heimdahl; siblings-in-law Annie and David Heimdahl; and stepson Matthew "Finn" Andersen.

He leaves his wife of 26 years, Shelley Grant of Havre; children Richard Lee "R.L." (Dede) Grant of Havre, Sheri (Terry) Steiner of Billings, Debra (Dave Henry) Vandeberg, Lori (David) Kanning and Gary M. Grant, all of Havre; eight grandchildren, Alyssa, Sean, Landon, Nikki, Logan, Gary, Lauren and Rylee; 14 great-grandchildren; sister, Nancy Genger Blouin of Fairfield; and many special nieces and nephews of the Genger family who will miss their crazy uncle.

Shelley's family includes her children, Joel (Dani), Jon (Beth), and Michael Andersen; her five grandchildren; her two great-grandchildren; her siblings Lori (Robert) Gibson, Pete (Carrie) Heimdahl, and Dr. Merry McIntyre; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Gary will forever be Shelley's cuddlebug, for that was where they found comfort, in each other's arms. Gary will be greatly missed and remembered for his silliness, his laugh, and gentle love. Rest in peace our precious father, you will never be forgotten.

We are thankful and grateful for the staff at the Care and Comfort Home for their kindness and compassion during these past eight months.

A memorial service will be held when Gary's family and friends are able to gather to celebrate his life.

His family has suggested memorial donations be made to the Care and Comfort Home or the Alzheimer's Association.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Gary's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com .