Brian Garin
Brian M. Garin, 48, of Waukon died Thursday, December 29, 2022 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, surrounded by family and friends after a long, two-year battle with pancreatic insulinoma. Memorial services will be held Saturday, January 7 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Lycurgus Cemetery in rural Waukon.
Friends may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. Friday, January 6 at Martin - Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 p.m. scripture service. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials can be made to the family or Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Brian Michael Garin was born April 28, 1974 in Waukon, the son of Raymond and Maureen (McGeough) Garin. He received his religious education at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Lansing and St. Patrick Catholic School in Waukon, and he graduated from Waukon High School in 1992.
Brian had always been a problem solver and had a knack for building and fixing things. He worked for Camcar and 3M for many years. His true calling in life was rooted in farming. Brian was the first grandchild of two farming families; farming was just “in his blood.” Brian built his own beef cattle herd throughout the years. Brian loved working alongside many area farmers as well. The last 15 years, he ran his beef cattle operation and harvested crops on Todd and Jan Soukup’s farm. For several years, Brian also worked with the Stortz family harvesting corn and beans every fall.
He enjoyed collecting tractors throughout his life. As a kid, he was a “red” tractor International fan, but grew to be a John Deere fan. Brian loved attending tractor pulls and for many years, helped with the tractor pull in Eitzen, MN during the 4th of July celebration. Brian also enjoyed the outdoors and hunting; every December he hunted with his family in Lansing and on the Garin family farm.
Brian loved visiting with family, friends and neighbors. He liked swapping stories with others when he was out for breakfast, on a drive, at the sale barn, or at Waukon Tire Center. Besides farming, Brian’s greatest joy in life was his two nephews, Brady and Brock. He loved all children, especially the Benzing family, the Liddiard family and the Howe family.
Survivors include his father, Raymond (Aggie) Garin of Lansing; his mother, Maureen Garin of Waukon; two sisters, Jennifer Garin of Waukon and Jackie Bakker of Cedar Falls; two nephews, Brady and Brock Bakker; his paternal grandmother, Mary Lou Garin; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Keith and Rose McGeough; his paternal grandfather, Leo Garin; and a cousin, Lindsey McMillan.
Honorary urnbearers are Cody and Dani Bahr, Blair Benzing, Jim Cooper, Jessica Hammel, Jack Heffern, Jason Howe, Kenny Liddiard, Jim and Tyler Ronan, Todd and Jan Soukup, and Nick and Steve Stortz.
Brian was well taken care of during his journey and especially was thankful to Dave and Janelle Kazimour, Dr. Nicole Barbee, Dr. Chandrikha, and the entire staff at Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
