Fred Gleich

Fred J. Gleich peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 14, surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am Monday at Church of St. Anne, Bismarck, with Rev. Thomas Richter officiating. Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery, with military honors by the VFW Post #1326. Visitation will be held from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm Sunday at St. Vincent’s Care Center, and continue at 3:00 pm Sunday at Eastgate Funeral Service, where a Knights of Columbus rosary will be held at 7:00 pm, followed by a parish vigil. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Fred was born on March 11, 1925, in Dodge, ND, son of Fred and Eva Grenstiner Gleich, the youngest and last surviving of 13 children. He was raised in Dodge, and graduated from Dodge High School in 1943. Fred entered the US Army in September of 1943. He served in the South Pacific with the 706 Tank Batallian including battles in Okinawa, Leyteand and Ieshima. He received two Purple Hearts as a result of two battlefield injuries. Following his military service he worked for Corwin Churchill for the summer before entering the State School of Science at Whapeton, ND. It was at a dance at the Newman Center that he met his future wife, RoseMarie Lodermeier. They were married on May 10, 1949, at St Joseph, MN. After graduation he worked for his brother Frank in Beulah before returning to Corwin's in April 1949 until January 1964. The next four years he worked for Sears. In 1968 he became the manager for JCPenneys Auto Center until its closure. Fred was very active in his church and community. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and Amvets. Fred dedicated much of his time to the Knights of Columbus and the VFW. With the KC he was a Grand Knight, Knight of the Year, and Catholic Family of the Year for Council 1604. He was proud of his term as the Commander for the VFW. Fred and RoseMarie were charter members of St. Anne's Church where he was highly involved in the annual St. Mary's Central High School Carnival. Fred also served as an usher and member of the PTA. Fred and RoseMarie were blessed with six children, Fred, Billings, MT; Elizabeth Mike Perius, Billings, MT; Andy, Grand Forks ND, Sharon Jim Barbour, San Deigo, CA; Peter Kathy, Hastings, MN, John Kim, Cottage Grove, MN. They have 20 living grandchildren, and two infant granddaughters who are deceased. The family fondly remembers his love of pheasant hunting, playing pinochle, telling stories, and his love of the trees in his yard, especially the chokecherry trees he brought from his parents home. He also enjoyed taking family and friends up and down the Missouri River on his pontoon boat and hosting special house parties. In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials of the donor's choice. The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to the staff of St. Vincent's Care Center who for the last 4 ½ years cared for, and loved their father as he and the family struggled through his Alzheimers.

Fred Gleich

March 11, 1925 - July 14, 2010