Gary A. Westgard

Gary A. Westgard passed away on Nov. 12, 2022. After graduating from PLU, Gary attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota and spent the subsequent 35 years as a pastor of four ELCA parishes, in Laurel, Nebraska (1969-1973), in Gayville and Meckling, South Dakota (1973-1980), in Vermillion, South Dakota (1980-1994), and in Watertown, South Dakota (1995-2004). In retirement, he wrote three books of poetry and prose, “The Journey and the Grace,” “At Break of Day,” and a third book, “Why Old Men Weep in the Morning,” which his family hopes to publish soon. He is survived by his wife, Vivian Westgard of Yankton, South Dakota, and two children, Christin and Joshua.