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- [S926] Find-A-Grave, (www.findagrave.com).
Harry "Smiley" Gress
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Birth: May 17, 1941
Mandan
Morton County
North Dakota, USA
Death: Aug. 9, 2009
Minneapolis
Hennepin County
Minnesota, USA
Harry "Smiley" Gress, 68 Ulen, Minn., died Aug. 9, 2009, at Fairview University Medical Center, Minneapolis. A rosary and prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at St. Vincent's Catholic Church, west of Mandan. A Christian Burial Service and interment will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, south of Mandan.
Harry was born May 17, 1941, to Peter and Matilda Gress of Mandan. He was raised on a farm and educated in Mandan. Harry joined the U.S. Army in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1961. His tour of duty included Germany. Harry was united in marriage to Carol Knutson in 1965 in Glendive, Mont. Harry spent most of his life pursuing his passion of playing the guitar and singing. He was the lead guitar player for numerous bands including, The Starfires, The Country Starfires, Randy Karr and North Country and Clark Gable and the Other Side. Highlights of his career were playing back up for Tammy Wynette and Charlie Pride. His signature move was playing "Orange Blossom Special" behind his head and amazed many by his talent over the years. He was a life member of the American Legion and VFW.
Harry also worked as a professional over the road truck driver and spent the last 10 years working as a caregiver for the mentally challenged. He was especially loved by his clientele and referred by many as "dad."
He was survived by and will be greatly missed by his daughters, Christine (Wade) Montgomery, Williston, and Karyn (Brian) Udland, Williston; three sons, Brien (Nicole) Gress, Becker, Minn., Loren Gress, Williston, and Michael (Amanda) Gress, Williston; and 15 grandchildren. Harry is also survived by three stepchildren, Lisa (Tim) Sparks, Grand Forks, Ryan (Stephanie) Olson, Ulen, Minn., Talia (Dave) McDougal, Detroit Lakes Minn., from a second marriage to Lori Dillon. He has 11 stepgrandchildren.
Harry was also survived by three sisters, Ann Smith, Mandan, Shirley Dowd, Eagan, Minn., and Mary (Paul) Kottke, Burnsville, Minn.; three brothers, Paul (Laverne) Gress, Center, Dennis (Dawn) Gress, Mandan, and Frank (Mary) Gress, Mandan; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Isabel and JoAnne; his closest friends, Ben and Jack; and two grandchildren, Shaun and Sierra Sky.
Family links:
Parents:
Peter Anton Gress (1897 - 1986)
Mathilda Rose Gress Gress (1906 - 2002)
Children:
Michael Patrick Gress (1977 - 2015)*
Siblings:
Annabelle Gress Smith (1929 - 2016)*
Paul L. Gress (1934 - 2015)*
Harry Gress (1941 - 2009)
*Calculated relationship
Inscription:
US ARMY
Note: VIETNAM
Burial:
North Dakota Veterans Cemetery
Mandan
Morton County
North Dakota, USA
Maintained by: IWPP Custodial Account
Originally Created by: International Wargraves ...
Record added: Jul 02, 2011
Find A Grave Memorial# 72500515
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1941 - 2009 (68 years)