Gary E. LeBlanc

Brigadier General (Ret.) Gary E. LeBlanc, 71 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away on Friday, March 25, 2016 at his residence. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the Camp Ripley Chapel inside the gates of Camp Ripley (Must have a photo I.D. to enter into Camp Ripley). Father Joe Herzing and Pastor Dean Johnson will be officiating. Burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. A visitation will be held from 4-8 P.M. on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN and from 10-11 A. M. on Friday at the Camp Ripley Chapel. A parish prayer service will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, MN. Military honors will be provided by the Minnesota National Guard Honors Team and the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Arrangements are with Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Gary was born on October 2, 1944 and was the oldest of three sons born to Elvin and Bernette LeBlanc. He grew up in Little Falls, MN on a farm and attended Country School in his elementary years. He then graduated from Little Falls Community High School in 1962. Following high school, Gary enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard in July of 1963. On May 15, 1965 he was united in marriage to Anita Marie Paulsen at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Pierz, MN. They were blessed with two children, Brenda and Ron. Gary’s career in the Minnesota National Guard spanned 37 years from Private to Brigadier General. He retired as Deputy Adjutant General in 2000. Gary worked in a variety of maintenance positions at Camp Ripley until 1984 when he moved to the National Guard State Headquarters in St. Paul to work as a Support Personnel Management Officer. He returned to Camp Ripley in 1986 and became the Camp Commander. Gary served in that position until he was selected to be the Chief of Staff of the Minnesota Army National Guard in May of 1990. He is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army War College and the Army Air Assault School. Gary was a life member of the National Guard Association (U.S) and the Minnesota National Guard. He was also a Past President of the Minnesota National Guard Association. As part of Gary’s career, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from St. Cloud State University with a self-directed emphasis in International Relations. He graduated from the U.S Army War College in Carlisle, PA in 1986. Gary was a lifelong member of the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Following his retirement, Gary and his wife Anita began spending their winters in Arizona. They loved the sunshine and made many wonderful friends in their Mesa and Florence communities. Gary enjoyed playing softball and tennis. He also developed a passion as a Knifemaker in his retirement years and spent many hours crafting knives by hand. He was a constant perfectionist and took great pride in his work. There was up to a two-year waiting list for his high-end hunting and filet knives. He was accepted as a probationary member of the Knifemaker’s Guild in 2004. He achieved voting member status in 2006. Gary had many other hobbies he pursued throughout his life. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Some of his best times were spent elk hunting in Colorado and deer hunting/fishing up at the shack in Northern Minnesota. Gary enjoyed downhill, cross-country and waterskiing. He looked forward to his golf outings with his Little Falls friends. Gary spent many years with his family camping and spending time at their cabin on Nokay Sebie Lake. He loved to play guitar and sing and would perform for family and friends. His wife Anita often sang with him. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Anita LeBlanc of Little Falls, MN; children, Brenda (Tony) Hansen of West Fargo, ND and Ron (Shannon) LeBlanc of White Bear Lake, MN; grandchildren, Ryan, Jamie and Tanner Hansen as well as Morgan, Grace and Samuel LeBlanc; father, Elvin ‘Charlie’ LeBlanc of Little Falls, MN; brothers, Gale (Linda) LeBlanc and Gregg (Jeanna) LeBlanc all of Little Falls, MN. Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Bernette LeBlanc; nephew, Joshua LeBlanc; and mother and father-in-law, Victor and Erma Paulsen. Those interested in a memorial contribution can consider the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery Mural Project or Camp Ripley Youth Camp.

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Gary E. LeBlanc

October 2, 1944 - March 25, 2016