Gary Palmer

Gary Earl Palmer entered the gates of Heaven on April 27, 2025 at Centennial Cottage Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD after a courageous battle with prostate cancer and Parkinson’s.

Gary was born on January Friday 13th 1950 to a superstitious mother, Anita (Thompson) and Earl Palmer in Sioux Falls, SD. Gary was the oldest of 5 children. Gary graduated Lincoln High School in 1968. Married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Engelkes on April 25, 1970. Out of this union of marriage , two children; April and Jeff. Gary and Ellen just celebrated 55 years of marriage two days prior to his passing. His family was important to him. Being a basketball coach to April and her girl classmates and teaching Jeff the love of hunting and fishing.

After high school, Gary attended Barber school, he held “the most haircuts in a day!” title at that time. Gary went from cutting hair to working for Sioux Falls School District at “the Shop” for 10 years. His love for cars now changed his career to restore and sell classic cars at his own car lot ‘Yesterday’s Auto’ in Sioux Falls, SD.

Gary and Ellen moved in 1996 to Apache Junction, AZ for semi-retirement , weather and rust free cars! They moved back to Sioux Falls in 2010 to be back with family and two grandchildren.

He loved being a grandpa!

Gary loved classic cars, rock & roll, concerts, cinnamon rolls, chocolate, getting a great deal, The show Cops, Beavis & Butthead, hunting, fishing, NRA, politics, girl basketball, storyteller –again and again!, odd sense of humor and most of all, his family!

Gary was an awesome son, brother, nephew, uncle, husband, dad, father in law, grandpa and friend! A simple man! Gary will be greatly missed along with his laugh! Gary is now in heaven pain free with family and friends and Jesus!

Grateful to share his life are his wife, Ellen, two children; April of Sioux Falls, SD and Jeff (Dena) Palmer of Sioux Falls, SD, two grandchildren; Wyatt and Savana Palmer of Sioux Falls,SD. His siblings, Sandra (Julie) Palmer of Albuquerque, NM, twins: Kathleen Bentham Britz of Durango, CO. and Kevin (Susan) Palmer of Lincoln, NE, Debra Raye of Minneapolis,MN. Many nieces and nephews, and great nieces & great nephews.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Anita(Thompson) Palmer, Grandparents;Thompson and Palmer, In-Laws; Ray and Mary (Beller) Engelkes .

The family would like to thank friends and family through this journey that have helped in all different ways, and also the nurses and staff at Centennial Cottage during these last few months.

Per Gary’s request, there will be no funeral. Gary’s immediate family will be spreading his ashes at his favorite hunting and fishing spots per his wishes. Memorials may be sent to : Ellen Palmer 25747 475th Ave Renner,SD 57055