Gary Loren McCloud, 71, of Minnewaukan, ND passed away Thursday, December 30, 2021 at CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake, ND.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, January 6, 2022 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Minnewaukan with Pastor Cassie Borges officiating.  Visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock, ND.  Burial will be held at a later date.  Due to the rise of Covid19, lunch will not be served following the funeral service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gary's family: 5450 47 ^th Street NE Minnewaukan, ND 58351.

Gary Loren McCloud was born in Maddock November 20, 1950 to Merlin and Ruth (Tandeski) McCloud.  He attended grade school in Maddock and graduated from Maddock High School in 1969.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. James Church in Minnewaukan. Gary was a member of the St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Minnewaukan until his passing.

Gary was united in marriage to Patty Lou Ellingson on July 3, 1970 at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Minnewaukan.  They moved to Denver, CO where Gary graduated from Western Technical College.  In 1971, they moved to Rugby, ND where Gary was a mechanic at Rugby Motor Company.  In 1976, the couple moved to their present location in Eldon Township, where Gary farmed until his passing. He started Gary's Repair on the farm which eventually moved to a location in Maddock in the early 1980's. He also spent time working at Service and Parts in Maddock. A few years later, Gary started tiling with Dan Ellingson, where he spent many winters completing jobs in Arizona and other surrounding states.

By the 1990's, Gary eventually established his own tiling business with Patty by his side. He was a true tradesman and a great teacher who passed his knowledge to his children whenever he had an opportunity. He could fix almost anything, and if there was something he didn't know, he would tinker for hours until he got it right.

Hunting was Gary's biggest passion. He'd spend all year scouting for the "big one." He was also an avid trapper. If you knew him in the 1980's, you would always know when Gary was close by his distinct "scent." In his later years, Gary especially loved restoring vehicles in his newly built shop, which he would spend most of his time; as long as he wasn't hunting or doing his usual rounds of visiting in town.

Gary always had a story to tell and you never left a conversation with him without a smile on your face. Gary was most proud of his children and his grandchildren, who he loved to spend time with.

Gary is survived by his wife of 51 years, Patty Lou; 3 children, Melissa (Mike) Thomas of Maddock, ND, Jody (Barry) Senger of Fargo, ND and Shawn (Samantha) McCloud of Maddock; 9 grandchildren, Logan, Ella, Brody, Rory, Zander, Nash, Moxin, Riggin, and Drake; 2 sisters, Diane (Ken) Schwartz of Moorhead, MN and Merle Cruiser of Montana; aunt, Marie (Delizonna); uncle, Tom (Annette) Tandeski; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merlin and Ruth McCloud; mother and father-in-law Vernon and Irene Ellingson; granddaughter, Lila Rose McCloud.