Gerald Reich

Gerald (Gary) Reich,69, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck, ND. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, from 2:00-4:00pm at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Cremation has taken place. 

Gerald Edwin Reich was born on October 11th, 1954, to Elsie Schwind and Edwin Reich in Wishek, North Dakota, and was of Russian and German descent. Gary was the 3rd oldest of five children, and the only son born to the couple. Gary spent his early life living on the family’s farm outside of Lehr, ND until his father’s passing in 1964. Gary and his family then moved into the town of Lehr where he spent time exercising horses, working at the local roller rink, playing basketball and hockey. In 1969 the family relocated to Mandan, ND where Gary graduated from Mandan High School. 

Gary enlisted in the United States Army after graduating high school. He was first stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and eventually at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. When Gary left the Army, he returned to Mandan where he spent time working at Midway Lanes and Saks News, prior to finishing his college education in Bismarck. Gary’s career took him to Lodi, California, where he worked for Team Industrial Services, and then to Concord, California, where he started his tenure with The Colt Group. He remained with Colt until he retired in the summer of 2020. Gary’s work with Colt took him all over the United States and Canada as well as Iceland, however, he was able to relocate back to Bismarck in 2009 to be closer to his family.

Gary married Dawn Belyea on July 5th of 1985, and the couple had three children: Edwin, Emily, and Elle. In his earlier years, Gary enjoyed bowling, arcade games, playing cards, collecting sports memorabilia and vintage comic books. Gary enjoyed spending time with his family and was a lifelong Minnesota sports fan. He was able to attend many Vikings and Twins games over the years. He took considerable pride in the cooking skills he was handed down from his mother; he in turn then taught them to his children. 

Gary is survived by his three children, Edwin Reich, Emily Reich, and Elle White; two grandchildren, Freyja Reich and Ian Kearns; three sisters, Wendy Haegele, Stacy Putnik, Greta Jahraus; and his brother-in-law, Keith Stolz. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Gary was preceded in death by his former spouse who was his closest friend, Dawn Reich; his parents, Elsie and Edwin Reich; and his sister, Marian Stolz.