Gary Allen Maine, 66, of Sioux City, IA, peacefully passed away on June 5, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones at the University Of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, NE. A celebration of life will be held at 6:00 pm, Friday, June 12 at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City, 4125 Orleans Ave. Visitation starts at 4pm with the family present at the funeral home. A luncheon will follow the service. All are welcome to attend dressed in Husker or racing attire.
Gary Allen Maine was born September 15, 1948, to Lawrence and Adeline (Hevle) Maine. He participated in many sports during his years of schooling at Centerville. Upon graduation in 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1969.
He spent some years in California before moving back home to South Dakota. In Centerville, he married Pamela Brown in February 1973. The couple moved around to several areas including Idaho, California, and Pukwana, South Dakota. Gary and Pam had a daughter in August of 1975 and a son in July 1979 but later divorced.
Gary worked several jobs, including many years at the Iowa Beef Products plant in the 1970’s. He also spent much of his time with T&J Auto Sales in Sioux City, Iowa, the 21B Racing Team, as well as driving a delivery route for Dennex.
Gary met and married the love of his life, Anne LaFrenz, in 1988. The couple welcomed a daughter in December of 1988 and a son in January of 1993. The family settled in Riverside IA and lived at several addresses throughout the years.
An avid fan of sports in general, anyone who knew him could tell Gary’s true passion was Nebraska football. Every Saturday during the season was spent on the phone with his son, either yelling at the referee’s bad calls or agreeing on the awesome victory. Gary had also spent many hours taking photographs at Park Jefferson Speedway and Interstate Speedway, as well as making new acquaintances in the pits at the racetrack and spending time with his close friends as they prepared for their race. Cars always held his attention and had a special place in his heart. A 1968 El Camino took Gary to many car shows while he was a member of the Strollers Club.
Although he loved the Huskers and the cars at the racetrack, Gary’s favorite true love was his family and grandchildren. He loved his kids deeply and always enjoyed the grandchildren climbing into his lap. He was always there for a great memory, slightly silly history lessons, or an enormous belly laugh.
After a prolonged medical complication, Gary peacefully passed away on June 5, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones at the University Of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha, NE. He will be greatly missed as he was loved by so many.
Grateful for having shared in the love for Gary is his wife, Anne (LaFrenz) Maine of Sioux City IA, son Jamie (Amanda) Maine of Sturgis SD, daughter Alyssa (Justin) Watterson of Sioux City IA, son Louis Maine of Sioux City IA; five grandchildren, Brendan, Bentley, Brylee, Dylon and Bailey, and many nieces and nephews.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents, his father-in-law, Melvin LaFrenz, and a daughter, Lacey.