Gary L. Varner

Gary L. Varner, age 77 of Hastings, died peacefully at home on Friday morning, June 16, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Gary Louis, the son of Frank and Lovella (Kaiser) Varner, was born on December 30, 1939, in Minneapolis. He attended Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis and graduated with the class of 1957, and then enlisted in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, Gary continued his education at both the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan State, and graduated with a degree in Sociology and Law Enforcement. He continued to serve our country as a member of the Air Force Reserve and the National Guard. On August 24, 1968, he was united in marriage to Kathy Kinnamon at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Gary was a longtime deputy for Dakota County and served in many roles, including leading the Dakota County SWAT Team. He retired as Lieutenant in 1998. Following his retirement, Gary got bored very quickly! He took another job as he experimented with different creative projects. Eventually, he and Earl Olson connected, and they collaborated on what eventually became Nuttin Like It. Almost twenty years in, with many adventures, his family continues to operate this business with his original recipes and ideas. Gary will always be remembered as a very generous person who loved his family and was proud of his service in the military as well as law enforcement. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dick Varner; his brothers-in-law, Ron McCullen and Gerald Funk; and by his best friend, Coby. Gary is survived by his wife, Kathy; his sons, Nick (Linda) Varner and Dan (Jayme) Varner; his grandsons, Charlie, Avery, and Wesley; his sisters, Marilyn Swanson and Judy Funk; and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. A Celebration of Garys Life will be held at the American Legion, 50 Sibley Street, in Hastings on Friday, June 23, 2017, between 14:30 and 17:00. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home Cremation Services of Hastings.