Harvey Gillespie

Harvey “Slick” Wayne Gillespie, 91, Chokio, MN, passed away surrounded by his family Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Essentia Health Holy Trinity Hospital in Graceville, MN.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 15, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. followed by the Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Chokio.  Military honors will be provided by the AMVETS.

Harvey was born March 2, 1935, to Donald and Mabel (Spittle) Gillespie. He was baptized on July 7, 1940, at Zion Lutheran Church in Chokio. He attended school until eighth grade. He joined the United States Air Force in 1954 and served until 1957.

Harvey met Nancy (Olson) one night working at the Chokio Café, and they hit it off. They were united in marriage on August 31, 1968, and started their family with their three children, Wayne, Tammy and Wendy.

Harvey was always busy doing something. He had worked for many local farms including Charlie Berg, Kenny Asmus, and Breathorst farms and helped his nephews from Gillespie farms with numerous things. He was also a self-employed carpenter.

Harvey was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Chokio Sportsman Club and AMVETS.

Harvey loved collecting and showing off his antiques. Fishing, smoking turkeys, and making fresh homemade donuts were only a few of his many hobbies. Harvey loved spending time with family shaking dice, playing cards, visiting, and just being around family. He was able to enjoy the 2026 Chokio Community Picnic which was always the time for family.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy (Olson) Gillespie; children, Wayne (Connie) Gillespie of Hancock, MN, Tammy (Henry) Goette of Chokio, and Wendy Sanasack of Chokio; 9 grandchildren, Eric (Tamara) Goette, Amy (Tony) Pelowski, Jordan (Tierney) Gillespie, Megan (Joshua) Dilling, Delia (Tyler) Sanasack, Dylan (Jordann) Gillespie, Jerome (McKayla) Sanasack, Bryana (Tucker) Sanasack, and Kortney (Derek) Sanasack; and 16 great grandchildren. He is also survived by brother, Glen (Kayla) Gillespie of Alberta, MN, sisters, Donna Eystad of Donnelly, MN, and Lois (Bernard) Vaneps of Chokio; sisters-in-law, Doris Gillespie of Chokio, Marilyn Gillespie of Johnson, MN, Lynn Gillespie of Tucson, AZ, Nancy Olson of Slayton, MN, and Rusty Marquardt of Morris, MN; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Mabel; brothers, Allen, Jim, Paul, Gary and Keith; brothers-in-law, Gary Marquardt, Clifford Olson, and Lee (Duke) Eystad; in-laws, Russell and Hazel Olson; and great-grandsons, Hank Pelowski and Waylon Sanasack.