Front of the service folder for Gary Sackmann can be found by clicking HERE 

 The service folder for Gary Sackmann can be found by clicking HERE 

Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Gary Robert Sackmann of Brookings, SD passed away on Monday, February 15  ^th  at the age of 72 surrounded by his loving family after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.  Gary was a true family man who found incredible pride and joy spending time with his loved ones and cherished the relationships he had with others.

 Gary was born in Medford, WI to his parents, Robert Anton Sackmann and Lillian Joyce Sackmann on July 8, 1948. He was the oldest of six children (Glen, Nancy, Ray, Jess, and Peggy) and together they learned the values of being farm strong: having a solid work ethic, learning to respect and appreciate, all things, dedicating oneself to the task at hand, and most importantly the significance of building strong family bonds.  These qualities were evident in Dad's life and he passed these same life lessons on to his own three boys, Daryl, Michael, and John. 

 After leaving the family farm to attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in 1966, he met the love of his life, Susan Rae Nelson from Bruce, WI.  They married on June 6  ^th  , 1970 and celebrated 50 years of marriage together this last year.  Upon graduating from college, Gary was drafted into the United States Army at the young age of 23-years-old where he served two years as a Sentry Dog Handler.  Immediately following his honorable discharge in 1972, Dad worked at Jacques Seed Company in Prescott, WI before relocating the family to Brookings, SD in 1992 to pursue a new opportunity in Agriculture.  It wasn't long after the move to Brookings that Gary found his true life's calling, working in the vending business.  Often referred to as "The Vending Man," Gary and a business partner purchased J & R Vending in 1995.  The vending business soon turned into Dad's modern day farm as he tended the machines to satisfy customer's guilty pleasures, tinkered with fixing machines when things didn't work, and built strong relationships with patrons along the way.  Dad sold the vending business after several years becoming McKeever's Vending, but he continued to work for the business long after.  Grandpa Gary was dedicated to his vending career working well past retirement age up to the last year prior to his passing, but he was committed to his work and most importantly the people he met along the way.  Dad always put others before himself. 

 A simple man at heart, Gary will be remembered for the little things that brought him countless joys and happiness in his spare time.  Dad enjoyed cutting and splitting wood and mowing the lawn.  He often referred to these two hobbies his most desired past times and together they were a great inspiration for beating cancer.  He also enjoyed the outdoor activities that South Dakota has to offer with great fishing and hunting in the area, fishing for walleye and hunting deer and pheasant.  As a proud Veteran and Brookings American Legion Post 74 member, Gary dedicated his time working at the Legion with his buddies and specifically cooking pancakes for the Legion Pancake Breakfasts throughout the Brookings community. 

 With death, Gary is reunited with his parents, Rob & Lillian, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gilbert and Elsie, and his daughter, Tanya who died at the age of 7.  Gary's wife, Susan, will continue her love for Gary until they meet again one day.  Dad's legacy will carry on through his three boys, twins Daryl (Melany) and Michael (Jolyn), and youngest son John (Sara).  His greatest gifts were his six grandchildren Brayden, Cayle, Hannah, Ronan, Nolan, and Raven who will continue to treasure the memories, stories, and values of Grandpa Gary throughout their lives.  We all miss him. 

 Friends and family are invited to a visitation service on Saturday, February 20  ^th  from 1:00-3:00 PM at Eidsness Funeral Home, 1617 Orchard Dr. Brookings, SD, 57006.  A private memorial service will be conducted for close family and friends from 10:00-11:00 AM that will be live-streamed at  www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com  under Gary's obituary.  Due to COVID restrictions, those family and friends joining us for the visitation will be required to wear masks for the gathering.  We ask that any memorial donations be directed to Brookings American Legion Post 74. Thank you. 

 Our family would like to especially thank the incredible individuals who cared for Dad in his cancer battle including the Brookings Home Health and Hospice Team, personal physician, Dr. Lansang at Brookings Clinic, oncologist, Dr. Bleeker of Sanford Hospital, radiologist, Dr. McGraw of Sanford Hospital, and the caring team at Eidsness Funeral and Cremation Services in Brookings, SD.  With this painful journey, these folks helped manage the pain.