Gary Tandberg passed away on August 19, 2026 at the age of 77. He was born in Oakland, CA to a single mother, Irene Palacio, and later adopted by Oscar Tandberg of Leeds, ND. He was a proud Californian, Bay Area resident and came from a large, loving family.

He spent his youth in the Bay Area stealing cigarettes and firecrackers in Chinatown and attending the live shows of many rock & roll legends. As a young man he served in the US Naval Reserves as an Aviation Machinist's Mate. Later, working in the wineries of Sonoma Valley, he learned and passed on the age-old wisdom "after the second glass it all starts to taste the same." In the early 1970's, he moved to Lake Tahoe, CA, working at a bike shop while spending time doing all things outdoors. Eventually, he worked as a carpenter and painter for Bill Harrah and through happenstance and charm, partied with the likes of Jerry Garcia, the Hell's Angels, Alice Cooper and was once yelled at by Janis Joplin. Often, he would wonder aloud, how the hell he made it out of Tahoe alive.

In the late '70's, he moved to Leeds, ND, taking over the family farm, where he met Molly Ann Green, his wife of 31 years, and started a family. They eventually moved to Minneapolis, MN then later settled in Dayton, MN with their four children. For over twenty-five years he worked for Hennepin County Public Works at night and as a landscaper by day. There wasn't a piece of equipment he could not drive nor a tool he did not master. His family often joked he was a ballerina in the Bobcat and despite their best efforts, he taught each of his children to drive, as well as change the oil and filters on everything.

After retirement, Gary moved to Las Vegas, NV to be close to his eldest son and two of his four grandchildren, each of whom were the light of his life. He enjoyed traveling to see family and friends near and far. He was very proud to have traveled to Spain to see his youngest daughter, his grandchildren, and the home to some of his ancestors.

Gary was infallibly funny, oftentimes much to his own dismay, turning many a mundane lecture into peels of laughter. He was a lover of Mexican food, music, movies, cartoons, Sunday drives and detours to the Lano Equipment and John Deere sales lots. He was always down for a road trip, often letting the wind be his guide. There were few things he enjoyed more than an air, car, or tractor show. He was able to name just about any vehicle by look or sound.

Gary was known as Gomez to many life long friends whom he treasured and kept in touch with routinely; and always had a warm tale, or five, to go with each. He was incredibly kind, smart, witty, and full of ideas. He lived a large life and lived life large. He was a master story teller recounting tales that seemed spun from fiction, but were all too real.

Gary is preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents, and many cherished loved ones. He is remembered and profoundly missed by his children, Paul, Tess, Jim, and Shea (m. Sean), his grandchildren Boyd, Tate, Fae, and Maeve (to whom he will always be Bumpa), his Green Family, the Palacios, his sisters (Laurie and Rhonda), and many, many friends.

His family is planning a celebration of life to be held in Minnesota at a later date.