Gary Eide

Gary A. Eide was born on May 24, 1944 in Wadena, MN to Wallace and Goldie Eide and graduated from Henning (MN) High School in 1962. He received his undergraduate degree at Moorhead State University and his Master’s Degree at Arizona State University in 1967. He married Ardell Froslee on June 15, 1968.              

Over the course of his career, Gary served as City Manager for the communities of Mexico, MO; Cape Girardeau, MO; Salem, OR; and Kearny, AZ. He served with distinction as a public servant. Of his calling, he once said “the city belongs to the people that live in it, and we’re simply caretakers who are there for a period of time to try and make their lives better by providing the best service that we can.” Gary’s career highlights included: the racial and gender integration of the fire department in Missouri; the building of the Show-Me Center arena in Cape Girardeau, MO; locating the US-headquarters of the Japanese companies Biokyowa and Yamasa into Cape Girardeau, MO and Salem, OR respectively; and the re-development of the waste-water treatment plant, airport, and town lake in Kearny, AZ. Following his retirement, summers were spent in East Battle Lake, MN.

              
But for all his career successes, Gary was most proud of his family and his relationships with his wife and children. He guided them in their educational and career choices and taught them to appreciate life and its many gifts. He was especially adept with his young grandchildren, earning him the nickname “baby whisperer.” 

Gary A. Eide passed away Sunday morning, September 17, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ at 73 years of age. Funeral services were held in September 2017 at the King of Glory Lutheran Church in Tempe, Arizona.              

Gary is preceded in death by his father Wallace Eide and his mother Goldie Mae (Gray) Eide. Gary is survived by his wife of 49 years Ardell, brother Greg Eide of Fargo, ND, and his children: Jessica (Matthew) Burrell of Indianapolis, IN; Ross (Sara) Eide of Bainbridge Island, WA; and Alison (Tim) Ostapuk of Chandler, AZ; and his 7 grandchildren who will sorely miss their “Granddad.” The world is truly a better place for his existence. 

Memorials may be given to the Vining Lutheran Church of Vining, MN, or the Salvation Army. The Eide family wishes to extend our sincerest thanks to all our family, friends, and colleagues who were touched by Gary’s life. 

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