Gary Mathwich (April 30, 1946 - June 17, 2024)

Gary Mathwich, 78, passed away due to natural causes at his residence on Monday, June 17, 2024. A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, and funeral services will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Deacon Tim Maroney officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. Gary's family has suggested memorial donations be made to St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic School & Parish P.O. Box 407 Havre, MT 59501, Phillips County Motorsports Scholarship Fund Box 31 Malta, MT 59538, or to an organization of the donor's choice. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Gary's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Gary was born on April 30, 1946, in Minot, North Dakota, to Kurt and Margaret (Boettger) Mathwich. He was raised on the family farm outside Glenburn, graduating from Glenburn High School in 1964. He went on to attend the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota for three years

graduating with an associate degree in Radio, TV & Appliance Servicing. He was drafted by the US Army in 1967 and specialized in Airborne Radio Repair serving at bases in New Jersey, Arizona and California until his honorable discharge in 1969. After returning to North Dakota, he settled in Minot where he was employed by Metzgers and then Sears. It was there in Minot that he was introduced to Helen Artz by his sister Linda. The couple were married on May 29, 1971, and relocated to Havre, Montana. They recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Gary and Helen had two children, Sarah and Sam, who were both born and raised in Havre. Gary continued his employment as a service technician with Sears until his retirement in 2003. Retirement didn't find him sitting still, he quickly discovered his passion for drag racing and began to call the dragstrip in Malta, Montana, his second home. It wasn't just the racetrack that he was drawn to but the people he met there as well. He served as an active member of the Phillips County Motorsports Board up until his death.

Gary was an outgoing, social man who never met a stranger. He just saw people he didn't know as future friends. Once he met someone, he always had time to stop and visit no matter when or where it was. In his earlier years, Gary enjoyed the outdoors with a particular interest in hunting and fishing. Later on, it was his love of drag racing that was unrivaled, and he could be found on the track most weekends of the season. He completed his most recent race at the Hi-Line Dragstrip speeding down the track in his beloved 1984 Chevy Camaro; although he lost out in the first round at least he didn't red light. Gary adored his wife and children and would drop anything to help them out, often at a moment's notice.

His sense of humor, slightly mischievous grin and thoughtfulness were all part of his youthful charm. He loved supporting his granddaughter's passion for dance, watching his grandson stop pucks as a goalie on the ice, sharing his love of Montana with them, and constantly trying to persuade at least one to become a junior drag racer.

He was preceded in death by his son, Sam Mathwich; parents, Kurt and Margaret Mathwich; brother-in-law, Neil Artz; nephews, Kevin Hill and Tyrel Mathwich.

Gary is survived by his wife, Helen of Havre; daughter, Sarah (John) Elkins of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren, Alexia and Mason; siblings, Linda Hill and Marilyn (Gaylord) Schilling, all of Fargo, ND, Kenny Mathwich of Bailey, CO, Susan Miller of Omaha, NE, and Mark (Kathy) Mathwich of Bowbells, ND; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.