Gary Lee Dougherty, 71, of Blackduck, MN died on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at his home.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, December 19, 2021at the Evangelical Free Church in Blackduck with Pastor Dwight Warden officiating. A visitation will be held from 2:00 – 3:00 PM, one hour prior to the service at the church. Graveside services and interment will be in Indus Cemetery, Indus, MN in the spring of 2022.
Gary was born on July 2, 1950 in Blackduck, MN, the son of Leonard and Neva (Miller) Dougherty. He moved with his parents and family to the Papermakers colony in South International Falls, MN and then to the old Loman Trail Line on the Littlefork River in Forseth Township. He attended school in International Falls and Littlefork, MN graduating from Littlefork High School in 1969. He married Marlene “Molly” Mia in 1971 and they moved to Hillsboro, OR in 1972. He worked in the construction trade there for 10 years. He then worked as the director of public works for the city of North Plains, OR for 20 years, until his early retirement in 2002. He moved back to Indus, MN area and then to Blackduck, MN in 2012. Gary was united in marriage to Miriam Osborn on March 22, 2014 in Blackduck, MN and they made their home on Blackduck Lake. Gary was a volunteer with the Washington County, OR Fire Department and its Battalion Chief for 2 years. He was an organizing member of North Plains Chamber of Commerce, and belonged to the square dancer’s club from 1994-1999. He was a founding member of the Birchdale, MN Community Center and the Birchdale Community Church. He was an active member of the Blackduck Evangelical Free Church, the Blackduck Lions Club, and the Blackduck Senior Center, serving as its president. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, wood working, 4 wheeling and general mischief. He loved to tell a story or joke.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Miriam Osborn-Dougherty of Blackduck; 2 daughters, Jennifer (Heithem) Swedan and Kristy Doughtery, both of Hillsboro, OR; 1 son, Nicholas Dougherty of Portland, OR; 3 sisters, Judy (Gary) Killczoski of Fort Frances, Ontario, Nancy (Greg) Puller of Blackduck, MN and Julie (Megan) Dougherty of South Bend, IN; 1 brother, Dwayne (Wendy) Dougherty of International Falls, MN; 3 grandchildren, Seth (Licia Cress) Almquest, Jeremiah Dougherty and Emily Almquist, all of Hillsboro, OR; 1 great grandson, Charlie Almquest of Hillsboro, OR; 23 nieces and nephews; 47 great nieces and nephews; and 20 great-great nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his 1st wife, Marlene “Molly” Dougherty in November, 2012; 1 sister, Cheryl Olson; 2 brothers, Ralph and Raymond Dougherty; and his parents.
Memorials are preferred to Sanford Bemidji Hospice.
Messages of condolence may be sent to ceasefuneralhome.com
