Obituary of Gary Douglas Laurent

Gary Douglas Laurent, age 72, of Big Lake, MN passed away surrounded by people who loved him on May 27th, 2021.

Gary was born on June 1st, 1948 in Crookston, MN the youngest of three children to Douglas and Bette (Eastvold) Laurent. He grew up in Crookston and graduated from Central High School. He joined the Army in 1967 and was discharged as a Sergeant in 1970. During his service he was stationed overseas in Germany and Korea and awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

Upon his return, in 1971, he married Carla Jean Hendrickson. Gary finished his degree with the Brown Institute, and they settled down in Elk River to raise three children together until 2000. Gary worked at FMC from 1972 to 1996, but also started at the Elk River Post Office as a sub in 1989.

Gary became a permanent postal employee in 2000 and eventually his friendship with his favorite coworker blossomed into a love that will go down in the record books. Gary and Laurie Ann Chasteen were married in 2003 and lived out the rest of their days loving, laughing, playing cards, chasing the dogs, and enjoying the amazing wildlife on their Big Lake “spread”.

Gary tended to make friends wherever he went, from the cook at the café, to the garbage man, to the cashier at the grocery store. More so were the lucky ones who could call themselves coworkers and friends. Family was everything to him. He will be missed by so many!

Gary is survived by his children, Melissa, Derek (Elaine), Mark (Christina); grandchildren, Grace (Logan), Jesse (Celine), Lexi (Bryce), Finnegan, Henry, George, and great-grandchildren, Mya and DJ. Also, his sisters, Karen Hime and Marilyn Juvrud, and brothers and sisters -in-law, Mike (Teresa), Rob, Margaret, Tracy, Rich, John (Carry), Mary, Jenny, and Carrie (Curt), along with several beloved nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Doug and Bette Laurent; his wife, Laurie Chasteen; children, Corey and Sara Laurent; brothers-in-law, Jerry Hime and Don Juvrud.

A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at his house in Big Lake on June 26th, 2021. Memorials preferred in Gary’s name to the Tri-County Humane Society, 735 8th St NE, St Cloud MN 56304.