Sun Lakes, Ariz. - Gary L. Buntrock, 67, of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and formerly of Columbia, S.D., died Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2006, at his home. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at Miller-Huebl Funeral Home, 1111 South Main Street, Aberdeen, with the Rev. Bill Paepke officiating. Burial follows at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery in Columbia. Funeral home visitation will be Sunday 3-7:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until time of the service. Gary Lee Buntrock was born on April 10, 1939, to Ben and Agnes (Anderson) Buntrock at Columbia, S.D. He attended elementary school at St. John's Lutheran Parochial School, Columbia, and graduated from Columbia High School in 1957. He then served in the United States Army. He married Marlys Mertz on June 18, 1959, at Columbia. He began his career working for South Dakota Wheat Growers in the Aberdeen area. They moved to Mitchell, S.D., where he worked for the United States Department of Agriculture. He later was employed by Farm Credit Services in Mitchell, transferred to Tempe, Ariz., and retired in 1999. Following his retirement, he did part-time real estate contracting and specialized in ranch and farm land. Prior to his illness, he worked part time in the pro shop at Oakwood Country Club Golf Course. He especially enjoyed pheasant hunting in South Dakota and golfing. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's activities. He loved to work outdoors, particularly in his yard. He loved all sporting events. He is survived by his wife, Marlys Buntrock of Sun Lakes, Ariz.; two sons, Jeff (Janet) Buntrock of Oro Valley, Ariz., and Brad (Cassie) Buntrock of Chandler, Ariz.; one daughter, Tamra (Shem) von Schroeck of Phoenix, Ariz.; three brothers, Blaine (Blanch) Buntrock of Brandon, Minn., Loren (Jane) Buntrock of Naperville, Ill., and Sylvan Buntrock of San Antonio, Texas; one sister, Audrey (Bill) Paepke of Piedmont, S.D.; and five grandchildren, Sean, Tyler, Jake, Jenna and Emily. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ralph Buntrock. Casket bearers will be Kim, Kevin, and Dennis Buntrock, Karl Paepke, and Tab and Scott Daly.

Published in the Aberdeen News on 10/29/2006.