Gary B. Kroshus, born July 25, 1947, at Spring Grove, Minn., son of Byron and Gertrud Hancock Kroshus, passed away January 27, 2023, after a long battle with cancer from Agent Orange exposure from time served in Vietnam. Gary was baptized and confirmed at Highland Lutheran Church. He attended Kjome, Grindeland, and Highlandville country schools until the 8th grade then on to graduate high school at Spring Grove in 1965.
He worked several construction jobs until getting drafted into the Army in October 1966. Gary did his basic training in Ft. Lewis, Wash., then on to Ft Polk (Tiger Land), La., for his AIT and Advanced Leadership training; from there it was Vietnam. He was first assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, then on to the 5th Special Forces for Long Range Reconnaissance training where he was a team member on recon missions. He returned to the 9th and was promoted to sergeant and at the age of 20 was the youngest team leader in their Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP)company, leading his team to monitor enemy movement for up to seven days at a time. Gary had 35 recon missions and was proud of the fact he never lost a man, wounded but all survived to fight another day. Against his company commanders concerns Gary walked point on all missions and commented that’s what kept us safe, cause nobody could read a map like this country boy from Iowa. For his time in Vietnam, he received two Bronze Stars, one for Meritorious Service for completing 25 recon missions and the other with the V for Valor, also a letter of Commendation from his company commander. Returning to the states, he was assigned to the 5th Army Division at Ft. Carson, Colo., where was chosen one of three from the Division to teach Long Range Recon to a new company going to Vietnam.
Returning from the Army, Gary worked construction jobs and was the equipment operator in the construction of the new Winneshiek Hospital, then on to work for Holland Brothers, and Myer Brothers Road Contractors and helped on the family farm. Gary was married to his wife Barbara Roffman Kroshus on April 16, 1977. They farmed until 1983 then started an aerial photo business, taking farm photos in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, taking a total of 36,000 shots from a plane. Gary started working for the U.S. Postal Service in 1987 in Kenesaw, Nebr., and worked at the Hastings and Grand Island, Nebr., offices also. Gary transferred back to the La Crosse, Wis., Post Office in 1993 where he worked in their mail processing plant as a supervisor and had details as acting manager at the Rochester, Minn., mail processing plant. In 2008 he transferred to the Decorah Post Office as a supervisor and often said were the best two years of his postal career, working with employees that cared about their job.
Gary enjoyed spending time with family and watching his nephews and nieces playing sports. Upon his retirement he worked for Arnie and Adam Weiss spring and fall; great guys to work for. Gary enjoyed target shooting, especially long-range handgun competition, but he most enjoyed riding with his wife in their UTV in the Black Hills of South Dakota or anywhere there were trails. Knowing the trails in South Dakota quite well he and Barb would welcome groups from Iowa to be their guide for the short time they were there.
Gary was a member of the Spring Grove Legion Post 249 since 1968 and would like us to remember to thank a vet,;it means more than you think and remember not all casualties happen on the battlefield.
Gary is survived by his wife Barb of Decorah, his mother Gertrud Kroshus Solem of Mabel, two sisters, Beverly (Dale) Cochran of Napa, Calif., and Julie (Jack) Kolka of Decorah; an uncle, James Gruber; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father Byron, stepfather Milford Solem, and parents-in-law Leonard and Kate Roffman.
Burial with military honors will be 2 p.m., Friday, May 26, 2023, in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota. Memorials can be sent to the family towards the Winneshiek County Veterans Memorial or directly to WCVM. The Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel is assisting with arrangements.
Patrick O'Regan says
Gary was the epitome of a Leader. A tough Dedicated Soldier, Dedicated to the mission and his Team. I had the honor of knowing Gary, but for not long enough. He will be sorely missed and long remembered. Scouts Out!
Barbara Gittens says
Thank You Gary for your service!!! I am sorry you got exposed to Agent Orange, our country knew what it was when they choose to spray it, such a shame, such an impressive soldier, you deserved better.
Donna Halvorsen says
I seldom read the obituaries of people I don’t know but Gary Kroshus and Paula Michel are exceptions. Both were magnificent human beings who gave so completely of themselves in very different ways. Gary went to Vietnam at 19, becoming an amazing soldier who won medals for his leadership but died too young because of exposure to Agent Orange on the battlefield. Paula reminds us that being an only child is not reason to retreat within oneself but to open up and find ways to contribute to society, from creating a new library in Harmony and becoming its librarian, to participating in an archeological dig, to taking in a Mexican exchange student, to championing theater in Lanesboro and finding ways to spread goodness even after being widowed at 41. Of course, children should learn about the Founding Fathers, the Civil War and the rest, and there are plenty of heroes and heroines in our history, But schoolchildren should be exposed to stories like these so they will have real-life examples of history as models. They also should learn about and embrace the sometimes-forgotten heroes in their own families. I hope even time-strapped teachers might find value in this.
Bob Rommes says
Gary was a great childhood friend and a snagging trout buddy. He was a supportive friend throughout life. I will miss you.
Beverly (Pederson) Olson says
I do not know this man but what a great career and service to our country. Thank you Gary.