Gary Loen Obituary

Gary Loen, of Benson, passed away Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at Scandi Haven Village in Benson, Minnesota, at the age of 76.

Memorial services will be held Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Pastor Gary Mills will officiate, and burial will be in the Benson City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 28, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Arrangements are with Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. www.zniewskifuneralhome.com

Gary Delmer Loen was born March 15, 1949, in Benson, MN, to Delmer and Audrey (Welker) Loen. He was baptized at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and confirmed at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Benson.

He graduated from Benson High School in 1967 and earned an Associate of Science degree in Electrical Construction Technology from St. Cloud Technical College.

On June 27, 1970, Gary married Doris Schloendorf at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. They made their home in Benson and raised two children, Eric and Elizabeth.

In 1969 Gary started working as an Electrician in his father‘s business, Loen Electric, founded in 1950. He later became co-owner with his father & brothers who became known through an advertising campaign as the “Loen Rangers of Electric”. Another standout with the Loen Electric name is the well-recognized red work trucks.

As a leader in the industry, Gary & his brothers continued the legacy their father had started expanding the business in 2004 to include Alexandria Electric.

In 2019, Gary was recognized for 50 years of service at Loen Electric. He worked part time for the next couple years until he fully retired in 2021.

Through the years Loen Electric was guided by a work ethic, simply stated in Delmer’s 1950 quote…. “I have to do a good job today so that I will have a job tomorrow.” That quote still greets customers today as they enter the Loen Electric office.

As business owners and employers, Gary & his brothers were known for their dedication, integrity, honesty and excellence. They always respected, encouraged and valued each and every one of their employees. Those qualities have now passed on to the next generation of Loen Electric as Gary’s son Eric leads the company. The legacy that Delmer, Gary, Kevin and Steve started will continue on in the community they all loved.

Remember Gary for his generosity and kind heart. He wanted to make sure everyone had enough to eat, a place to rest, a ride to where they were going, and support when it mattered most. He loved to fish even though there was not always a catch on the dinner table. He also loved to deer hunt so that he could have a nap in the tree stand. Thank goodness he never fell!

He is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter, Elizabeth (Steve) Zemlicka, of Columbia Heights, MN; son, Eric (Laura) Loen of Benson, MN; grandchildren, Kurt Zemlicka, Holden Zemlicka and Caeden Zemlicka; sister, Sheila (Wayne) Dokken of Benson brothers, Steve (Sue) Loen of Glenwood and Lonny Loen of Santa Barbara, CA; sister, Rhonda (Steve) Fennell of Benson; sister-in-law, Deb Loen of Morris; sister-in-law Mary Eberley of Elk River, MN; brother-in-law Jim (Pam) Schloendorf of Pipestone, MN; sister-in-law Jane (Keith) Clemons of Colorado Springs, CO; and several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded death by his parents Delmer and Audrey; brother, Kevin Loen; father and mother -in-law Herb and Dorothy Schloendorf, brother-in-law Lee Eberley; and two brothers in infancy.