Gary Lee Bell, age 58 of Hudson died unexpectedly June 10th 2020 while at work of an apparent heart attack. Gary was born during a snowstorm on April 14, 1962 in Blue Earth, MN; the son of Donald and Vernette (Vogt) Bell. He was baptized April 29th, 1962 and confirmed May 23rd, 1976 through St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. He was raised in Blue Earth where he graduated from high school on June 1st, 1980. He was raised on a farm where he learned the value of hard work and being a good steward of God’s earth. During his high school years, he was a member of the FFA and enjoyed playing baseball. In fact, he was the most valuable player his senior year for his pitching efforts. He farmed with his dad and brother after high school until 2002. It was then he would buy his own semi cab and began driving for Alfson’s Trucking in Blue Earth. Following this, he drove for Transport Designs in Savage and currently for Wiseway Transportation Services in Hudson. Gary has clocked over 2 million miles driving every continental state in the country, but mostly the western states.

In February of 1987, he met his wife and best friend of 33 years, Cheryl Sapa. They would be united in marriage on June 5th, 1993 to which three beautiful children were blessed. Together, Gary & Cheryl bought and operated The Derby Inn in Guckeen, MN. This was a bar/restaurant that was a special place for the area farmers to gather in their down time. Gary enjoyed playing cards and pool with family and friends. He loved baseball, whether watching the game on TV or catching a game on the radio. Being an avid Minnesota Twins fan, he rarely missed a game. He also loved westerns; all of them! His favorite was Gunsmoke but his favorite actor was John Wayne. Being he watched all of John Wayne’s movies several times, he knew what he was going to say before John Wayne did! He was a gentle giant, sometimes stubborn, mostly witty, but always right! He was good with technology and kept up to date with current events and politics. But most of all, Gary loved his family. He was so proud of his children and adored his grandchildren.

Gary will forever live on in the hearts of his wife Cheryl; children Lori (Brian) Mueller of Lake Elmo, Jessica (Lucas) Rogers of Woodbury, Michael (Ashley) Bell of Lake Elmo; nine grandchildren: Austin, Abigail, Alexandra, Emma, Matthew, McKena, Sloan, Silas, Ezra; siblings Julie (Mark) Burns of Jupiter, FLA, Trudy Allen of Savage, Nancee (Tom) Bell of Maplewood, Koni (Dave) Sjulstad of Eagan, Corey (Cathy) Bell of Fairmont; as well survived by 20 nieces & nephews; and 6 special aunts. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Vernette Bell; sister-in-law, Christine Wagner; brothers-in-law Michael Tines and Joseph Allen; his grandparents, one aunt and six uncles.

A Celebration of Life for Gary Lee will be Saturday, June 27th at 11AM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home; 520 So. 11th Street in Hudson. Officiating will be Pastor Todd Stocker of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hudson. A time of fellowship will immediately follow at O’Connell’s. Social distancing and masks are requested.Gary Lee Bell, age 58 of Hudson died unexpectedly June 10th 2020 while at work of an apparent heart attack. Gary was born during a snowstorm on April 14, 1962 in Blue Earth, MN; the son of Donald and Vernette (Vogt) Bell. He was baptized April 29th, 1962 and confirmed May 23rd, 1976 through St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. He was raised in Blue Earth where he graduated from high school on June 1st, 1980. He was raised on a farm where he learned the value of hard work and being a good steward of God’s earth. During his high school years, he was a member of the FFA and enjoyed playing baseball. In fact, he was the most valuable player his senior year for his pitching efforts. He farmed with his dad and brother after high school until 2002. It was then he would buy his own semi cab and began driving for Alfson’s Trucking in Blue Earth. Following this, he drove for Transport Designs in Savage and currently for Wiseway Transportation Services in Hudson. Gary has clocked over 2 million miles driving every continental state in the country, but mostly the western states.

In February of 1987, he met his wife and best friend of 33 years, Cheryl Sapa. They would be united in marriage on June 5th, 1993 to which three beautiful children were blessed. Together, Gary & Cheryl bought and operated The Derby Inn in Guckeen, MN. This was a bar/restaurant that was a special place for the area farmers to gather in their down time. Gary enjoyed playing cards and pool with family and friends. He loved baseball, whether watching the game on TV or catching a game on the radio. Being an avid Minnesota Twins fan, he rarely missed a game. He also loved westerns; all of them! His favorite was Gunsmoke but his favorite actor was John Wayne. Being he watched all of John Wayne’s movies several times, he knew what he was going to say before John Wayne did! He was a gentle giant, sometimes stubborn, mostly witty, but always right! He was good with technology and kept up to date with current events and politics. But most of all, Gary loved his family. He was so proud of his children and adored his grandchildren.

Gary will forever live on in the hearts of his wife Cheryl; children Lori (Brian) Mueller of Lake Elmo, Jessica (Lucas) Rogers of Woodbury, Michael (Ashley) Bell of Lake Elmo; nine grandchildren: Austin, Abigail, Alexandra, Emma, Matthew, McKena, Sloan, Silas, Ezra; siblings Julie (Mark) Burns of Jupiter, FLA, Trudy Allen of Savage, Nancee (Tom) Bell of Maplewood, Koni (Dave) Sjulstad of Eagan, Corey (Cathy) Bell of Fairmont; as well survived by 20 nieces & nephews; and 6 special aunts. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald and Vernette Bell; sister-in-law, Christine Wagner; brothers-in-law Michael Tines and Joseph Allen; his grandparents, one aunt and six uncles.

A Celebration of Life for Gary Lee will be Saturday, June 27th at 11AM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home; 520 So. 11th Street in Hudson. Officiating will be Pastor Todd Stocker of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hudson. A time of fellowship will immediately follow at O’Connell’s. Social distancing and masks are requested.