Gordon Ellsworth Pribyl, age 97, of Maple Lake, MN, passed away on March 7th, 2025, at the Park View Care Center in Buffalo.
Gordon was born July 16th, 1927 in Maple Lake Township, to Edwin and Eldora (Anderson) Pribyl. He attended country school near Maple Lake. As a child, he spent time tinkering in his own little workshop, learning to build and fix things. He also grew up helping his parents with their farm.
Gordon met Lavone Olson in Silver Creek, where the two of them often enjoyed dances and music at Hasty and Waverly. They were united in marriage on October 28th, 1950, in Buffalo. They made their home on the family farm in rural Maple Lake. Throughout the years, they raised a variety of crops and animals. Gordon had a real love for farming and taking care of the land. They sold eggs for many years to neighbors and the Maple Lake Cafe.
In 1952, Gordon was drafted into the US Army, where he served in the 101st Airborne Division, during the Korean conflict. He worked as a mechanic on tanks and other military vehicles, while stationed in Fort Sheridan and Fort Knox, and for one year in Reykjavik, Iceland.
In 1954, after military service, Gordon returned home to his farm and began helping his father run his dairy farm operation. Gordon and Lavone had one daughter, Faye. Over the years, he enjoyed being in his workshop where he fixed machinery, did welding and many metal working projects. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, and he had an engineer’s mind. He continued crop farming until his retirement in 2007, but still enjoyed working on tractors and taking them out for a spin.
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Faye (David) Vorgert of Monticello, granddaughter, Kara (Tim) Patton of Sauk Rapids, and great-grandsons, Jake and Paul. He is preceded in death by his wife, Lavone, his parents and brother, Marvin Pribyl.
Special thanks to the staff at Park Terrace Assisted Living in Buffalo for their wonderful care and kindness during Gordon’s residence there.
Arrangements were made by the Minnesota Cremation Society. A private service for family will be held at a later date.