Gaylen George Negless, age 89, of Anoka, passed away on Monday, February 26, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.

Gaylen, the son of Frank and Amanda (Schumacher) Negless was born on October 13, 1928 on a farm in Meadow Grove, Iowa, where he grew up and attended school.  He was proud to serve in the United States Army and was a combat veteran of the Korean War.  Gaylen married the love of his life, Rheta (Steffes/Rehse) in 1953, in Sioux City, Iowa.  The couple farmed near the Battle Creek area before relocating to Anoka, Minnesota, where they worked for the Federal Cartridge Corporation.  Gaylen worked at Federal, for over 28 years, retiring in 1989 as a machinist.  Gaylen and Rheta were blessed with three children William, Robert, and Michael.

Gaylen was a long-time member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Anoka.  He was a devoted Christian husband/father/grandfather. He read his bible daily and loved to share God's word. Gaylen enjoyed anything to do with tractors and trucks; his love of farming carried over into care for his home and yard.

In addition to his parents, Gaylen was preceded in death by his brothers, Nemo and Lavern Negless; sisters, Helen Negless, Elsie Sherrill, Frances Clausen, Naomi Nielsen, Jean Steinbach, Lorraine Horstman and Darlene Segebart.  Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Rheta Negless; children, William and Janet Steffes of Andover, MN, Robert and Mary Negless of Holden, MO, and Michael Negless of Anoka, MN; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; extended family and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home, 2005 Branch Avenue, Anoka.  Visitation one hour prior to the service (10:00 – 11:00 a.m.)  Private Interment in Ida Grove, Iowa.

Arrangements entrusted to Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home of Anoka (763) 421-0220.