Gary F. Grad

Services are planned for the spring of 2025. 

Gary F. Grad, of Grand Forks and Devils Lake, ND passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, from heart failure at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks at the age of 76.

Gary Fred Grad, son of Louis and Katherine (Selensky) Grad was born on June 17, 1948, at Cando, ND. He attended school in Drake, ND, and Harvey Public School.

He began his working career with Everts Road Construction Company. While working with Everts, he met his sweetheart JoAnn DeVoogdt, and they were united in marriage on October 25, 1968. They were the proud parents of a daughter Polly and two sons Kenny and Kevin. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked, and raised their beloved family.

Gary worked several jobs always with dedication, excellent work ethic and always making sure he provided for his family. He worked at Christie’s, Coca-Cola, Wally’s, and Devils Lake Public Schools until he retired. While working these jobs, he also engaged in the operation of Westside Grocery along with his mother-in-law Margaret and brother-in-law Jim.

For many years, he was part of a band known as “The Country Cousins.” They played in many venues throughout the state and many family members joined the band through the years; his sisters Eleanore, Marlene, and Mary Ann, Bob, Mike, Gordy, Jim, and Leroy. With each new member came a new talent, male singers, guitarists, keyboard players, accordions, tambourines and more. They played at the Harvey Eagles Lodge on New Year’s Day for 25 years and for the past several years have always been featured as one of the Devils Lake and Rugby Arts in the Park favorites.

Gary and JoAnn enjoyed six winters in Arizona and in 2019, sold their home in Devils Lake and moved to Grand Forks during the summer months to be closer to their son Kevin. For the past 1 ½ years, his declining health made it difficult to spend time in Arizona.

Gary loved his family, his Lord, and his music. He felt blessed to have family and dear friends who came together to share the joy of music with others. They meant the world to him.

Gary’s pride and joy, and his most precious family who survive him include his wife JoAnn of 56 years; daughter Polly Eckes of Cottage Grove, MN and son Kevin Grad of Grand Forks; four grandchildren Brittany (Jack) Sibenaller, Christopher (Sara) Eckes and Justin (Sarah) Eckes-Teeley Grad; 4+great grandchildren Clara and Elenor-Elena and baby boy Henry in January-Meline; sisters Eleanore Grad and Marlene Grad both of Harvey ND and Mary Ann (Bruce) Rheault of Rugby ND; mother-in-law Margaret DeVoogdt, Devils Lake; brother-in-law Jim DeVoogdt, Devils Lake; many nieces, nephews, and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Kenny, brother James Grad, father-in-law Joseph DeVoogdt, two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law.