Donald R Gereszek

Donald R. Gereszek, 75, Bismarck, died February 24, 2014, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck, after a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, February 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with Rev. Steve Sathre officiating. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, where full military honors will be conducted. Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm Thursday, February 27, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Don was born January 22, 1939, in Hankinson, ND. He spent his youth working as a farmhand on the prairies of North Dakota. At the age of 17 he entered the US Navy. Don did a tour of duty in Vietnam and followed by a tour in Cuba. He earned the rank of Senior Chief. During his navy career as a hospital corpsman he was able to travel the world. While on military leave, he met Irene Dockter and on August 15, 1964, they were united in marriage. They were stationed at many naval bases throughout his military career. In 1977, Don retired after 22 years of service to his country, and moved back to North Dakota to be with family and raise their three daughters. Don and Irene had three daughters, Natalie was born in Beeville, TX, Rachel was born in Bethesda, MD, and Tricia was born in Camp LeJune, NC. After returning to North Dakota, Don started his civilian career as a salesman with United Accounts until his retirement in the 1990s. Don was an avid hunter, who enjoyed being outdoors and hunting with the Leier boys, from Braddock, ND in his beautiful camper which he called his 'home away from home.' He also enjoyed fishing with his son-in-law, Andy Leier. Don spent his leisure time reading novels, sometimes as many as three a week and looked forward to completing daily crossword puzzles. Don was a firm believer in education and worked hard to make sure his daughters had a full college education and everything they needed in their lives. Don was most proud of his two grandchildren, Jesse Wetzel and Madelyn Leier. He made sure that he attended all of Jesse's activities, always being his biggest supporter. He was proud of his granddaughter, Madelyn, for her many talents, singing in musicals and attended her cross-country and track events. He once recorded Madelyn singing and playing it for anyone who would listen. Don is survived by his wife, Irene, Bismarck; daughters, Natalie and Tracy Wetzel, Bismarck, Rachel and Andy Leier, Shakopee, MN, and Tricia Gereszek Kent Fischer, Bismarck; his grandchildren, Jesse Wetzel and Madelyn Leier; and his special furry friends, Amber and Bella. He is also survived by special friends, Sam and Marie Mitzel, Al and Wanda Klipfel, the John Leier family whom he considered as his own family, and special Navy friend, Robert Abney; sisters, Dottie and Jerome Heit, Puyallup, WA, Patricia Schaff, Kent, WA, Donna Gereszek, CA, and Barbara Murphy, Moorhead, MN; two brothers, David Gereszek, West Fargo, and Bill Gereszek, Bismarck; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Leo and Delores Dockter, Bismarck, Evelyn and Jerry Kelsch, Bismarck, and Melvin Dockter, Yuma, AZ; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Ramona Carnaje; and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, John and Alma Dockter.

Donald R Gereszek

January 22, 1939 - February 24, 2014