Gary Lee Frentz

1954-2023

Gary Frentz-A loving husband of 48 years, devoted father, proud papa, mentor to many and cowboy through and through, died December 18, 2023, peacefully at his home in Custer, South Dakota. He was 69.

Born April 19, 1954 in Watertown, SD to Victor and Gladys Frentz. Gary was a cowboy until the end. He dearly loved his South Sheridan Ranch which he built with his own two hands. He worked the land, raised horses and sheep, and taught his twin daughters to walk the gravel road home. He was the most happy on horseback, hunting with dear friends, on his four wheeler or side by side or outside looking at his heavenly view on the porch.

Gary graduated from Watertown High School and went on to college at Northern State University. He continued on and earned a Masters Degree in Education from Billings, MT. He began his career as the Financial Director for Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD and later as the Financial Aid Director of Scottsbluff Nebraska College. He went on to be Director of Financial Aid for Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, SD.

Upon his return to Watertown, Gary opened his Floor To Ceiling Store in Watertown in 1988. In 1993, he became a Vocational Rehab Counselor. Serving his clients was one of his greatest honors. In 2013, he became a Counselor for SBVI serving the blind and visually impaired in Rapid City, SD. He retired in 2014 and built his dream cabin in Custer. He couldn't sit still and drove the Custer Prairie Hills Transit bus for school children and veterans. He finally rested after ending his work career as a campground attendant for Custer State Park where he and Nancy first honeymooned in 1975.

He will be remembered as a man who loved to tinker on horse trailers, serve his community, and protect his family. When he spoke, you listened for it wasn't often.

His memory will be kept alive by his adoring wife Nancy, his twin girls Kate Frentz (Harley Hanson) and Kelly (Eric) McMillan, his brother Rick (Julie) Frentz, brother-in-law, Kurt Oleson, and his grandchildren Hannah and Hunter McMillan.

His family wishes to thank his friends from the VFW and anyone who ever realized how rare and special Gary was.

Visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Friday December 22, 2023, at Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday December 23, 2023, at Crossroads Church in Custer, SD with committal services following at Custer Cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to join the family at the VFW after Gary's committal services. Please bring a potluck dish and share memories.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, SD.

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