Obituary of Gregory John Lien

Gregory John Lien, 50, of Otsego, Minnesota, was taken far too soon on Sunday, November 12, 2023, in his deer stand of natural causes.   

He was born in Minneapolis on March 31, 1973, and was loved beyond measure by his parents, Victor and Janet Lien. Three years later, he became a wonderful big brother to his little sister, Jenny, who would spend her life knowing exactly how lucky she was to have him in her corner.  

Greg grew up in Mayer, MN, and attended Watertown-Mayer Schools.  He was a hockey player and spent many years playing and traveling with his home team.  As a boy, he loved to ride his horse, Blaze, or his snowmobile to his grandparents’ farm.  He spent endless time at “The Farm” with cousins, messing around in the barn, hitting rocks, watching his uncles play horseshoes, and filling up on Grandma Lucy’s big family meals.  

Greg graduated from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology.  He was passionate about his role as Senior Quality Manager at TE Connectivity, working for the company for the past eight years.  He was highly motivated and talented in his field and will be remembered there as a great leader and mentor who cared about his team. 

Greg had a zest for life that was hard to beat.  He loved to travel, whether it was deep-sea fishing with his buddies, Las Vegas, his annual trip to Sturgis, Mexico, or wherever else an adventure was waiting.  He had an absolute love for the outdoors and was a true sportsman.  He was at home being on the lake - fishing in the summer or in his Ice Castle with a tip-up in the winter – or in the woods, deer hunting.  Having his dad with him during his fishing or hunting trips, made them even better.  He was always so happy when his dad would join him.  

Greg bought his first motorcycle almost 30 years ago while he was in college, and had a love for his Harleys ever since.  He and his buddies took to the open road whenever the opportunity was there and he had a great group of friends that became family because of it. 

Greg enjoyed his life, was dedicated to his parents, his sister, and her family, and was someone to count on when things got tough.  He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and his protective nature.  He was an incredible man who loved the people in his life fiercely.  We miss him terribly but are thankful for the time we had with him and that he passed away while doing what he loved.

Greg is survived by his parents, Victor and Janet Lien, his sister, Jennifer Preston and partner, TJ, his nieces, goddaughter Taylor, Avery, and Kira, his girlfriend, Shelli Wojciechowski, Conner and Cortney Gross, his Cairn Terrier buddy – Tucker, and a long list of aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and friends.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 3, 2023, from 12:30-4:00 pm with a spiritual message from Rt. Rev. Dr. Amy Ghodes-Luhman at 1:00 pm at the Watertown Community Center, 309 Lewis Avenue South, Watertown, MN 55388.

To honor Greg and his love for hockey growing up, memorials preferred to the Greg Lien Memorial Fund which will be distributed to his High School Hockey Association and to a scholarship in his memory.  Memorials can be made to the Greg Lien Memorial Fund and mailed to 406 W. Washington Street, Ste 5, Box 147, Brainerd, MN 56401-3421