Gordon Baesler

Gordon Duane Baesler, 73, Bismarck, died after a long hard-fought battle with cancer, on Saturday, June 17, 2006. Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at Faith Lutheran Church, 14th Street and Avenue C, Bismarck, with Rev. Wes Aardahl officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 PM to 9 PM Monday at Eastgate Funeral Service and a prayer service will be held at 5:00 PM. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Gordon was born on June 12, 1933, to William and Elsie V. Sprecher Baesler in New Leipzig, ND. He was baptized on July 16, 1933 and confirmed Aug 4, 1946, in the Evangelical Lutheran Dreinickeit Gemeinde Trinity Lutheran Church North of New Leipzig by Rev. Rudolph Heupel. He attended country school through the eighth grade and graduated from New Leipzig High School in 1951. The summer of 1951, Gordon attended Dickinson State Teachers College and went on to teach country school #4 in the Leipzig School District during the 1951-1952 school year. After an interesting year of teaching siblings, cousins and neighboring children at the country school, Gordon attended North Dakota State University NDAC to further his education. He graduated from Capitol Commercial College in 1957 and from Bismarck State College BJC in 1961. On July 9, 1953, Gordon was drafted into the U.S. Army. He completed basic training at Fort Knox, KY, and was stationed at Ray Barracks in Friedberg, Germany. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on May 22, 1955. While in military service, Gordon married Florence L. Wutzke, on December 6, 1953, in Elgin, ND. They were married 52 years. In their retirement, they enjoyed traveling and taking many tours together with family and friends. Gordon was employed with the North Dakota State Water Commission for nearly 42 years from June 1955 to April 1997. The wit, humor and dedication that he brought to the job made him a delight in the workplace. With a deep faith and inner strength, Gordon was active at Faith Lutheran Church and served in manycapacities over the years that included, church treasurer, church council member, property board member, parish ministry board member, stewardship board member, Sunday school teacher and catechism teacher. Always laughing and joking around, family was important to Gordon and his ongoing teasing and pestering showed that he loved them all very much. The grandchildren kept a constant twinkle in his eye. He enjoyed camping, traveling with family and fishing. Gordon especially enjoyed the resort time that he spent in Detroit Lakes, MN, with his wife, children and grandchildren. During his cancer journey, Gordon always maintained a positive attitude and remained optimistic. Throughout the time, his wife Florence was always by his side with her tireless care, love and support. Surviving Gordon is his loving wife and friend, Florence; his son, Perry Connieand grandsons, Shane and Corey; his daughter, Gayle Charlie Little, grandson, Jacob and granddaughter, Kate; his brother, Kenneth Margie; his aunts, Lydia Tietz, Eleanor Sprecher, and Frieda Sprecher; his uncles, Gottlieb Baesler and Art Tietz; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Preceding Gordon in death are his parents, William and Elsie Baesler; his brother, Dennis; his niece, Tammy; and his in-laws, Jake and Anna Wutzke. Memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church, Bismarck.

Gordon Baesler

June 12, 1933 - June 17, 2006