Gary Walhaug

Minot

Gary Wayne Walhaug, 77 of Minot, was called home to his Lord on June 26, 2026, surrounded by the people he loved most, his wife Arlene, daughter Laura, and son Scott.

Gary was born November 21, 1948, in Stanley, ND, raised on the Walhaug family homestead, north of Palermo, confirmed in Faith Lutheran church, and graduated from Palermo High School in 1966. Gary graduated from Minot State in 1970 and began an extraordinary coaching career that would span 55 years, coaching in Tolley, Surrey, Minot State University, and Minot High School. Over those decades, he impacted countless lives as a coach of women’s and men’s basketball, track and field, and cross country. His excellence and dedication to athletics and education were recognized through his induction into three prestigious halls of fame: the North Dakota High School Hall of Fame in 2009, the North Dakota Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame in 2012, and most recently, the Minot State University Hall of Fame.

In addition to his many contributions as a coach and educator, Gary was a proud Army veteran who served his country with honor that included a one-year overseas service in Germany.

To the players and coaches he worked with, Gary was a legend. Gary had recently been recognized for achieving a milestone for coaching over 2000 basketball games. He was equally admired in the classroom and in his role as an athletic director at Surrey. But above all, he was a legend to his family. While much has been written about his talents as a teacher, coach, and mentor, those closest to him knew that his greatest legacy was the way he lived his life.

Gary lived for others. He never sought the spotlight, instead finding his greatest joy in the success of those around him. He had a gift for making a difference in people’s lives and devoted himself wholeheartedly to helping others grow and succeed. He asked for little for himself, but gave everything he had to the betterment of others.

Gary loved his family deeply. His wife was his partner, and his children were his best friends. He treasured his role as a grandfather to Lilly, Oliver, and Olivia, and he spoke of them often with immense pride and joy.

Gary didn’t have time for hobbies in the traditional sense, his passion was coaching, mentoring, and spending time with his family, and playing an occasional round of golf with his brother. Those pursuits filled his days and defined his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob Walhaug and Phyllis Vesey, and his brother, Randy Walhaug. Gary is survived by his wife Arlene, daughter Laura (Chad) Thies, son Scott (Amanda), brother Warren, sister Cheryl, and three grandchildren – Oliver, Olivia, and Lilly.

Gary’s legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the love he gave so freely. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered, and impacting lives through the recently established Walhaug Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Thank you, good and faithful servant, save a space on the court for us.

Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service or share memories and condolences, access his obituary at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Interment with Military Honors: Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Palermo, ND, following our time of fellowship.

Visitation: Monday, July 6th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Minot

“G-PA’s Last Huddle” Public Celebration of Life: 6:00 p.m. July 7th at the MSU Dome, Minot

Memorials: In lieu of flowers or other gifts, we invite you to make a one-time donation to The Gary Walhaug Annual Scholarship Fund. You can support directly through the GoFundMe page (link available in website obituary) or send or drop off payment to First Western Bank & Trust, 900 South Broadway, Minot ND, 58701 (payable to Laura M Thies, Gary Walhaug Memorial Scholarship Fund).

Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot entrusted with arrangements.

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 2, 2026.