Willis Gartner

Willis Gartner, 86, slipped peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Services will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, May 28, at Bismarck Baptist Church, 2211 Laforest Ave., Bismarck, with Rev. Bryan Hochhalter and Rev. Merle Hoots officiating. Burial will be held at Wing Cemetery, Wing. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Friday, May 27, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Willis was born July 29, 1929, in Goodrich, ND, to John and Eva (Buechler) Gartner. He graduated from high school in Goodrich, and attended business college in Fargo. He married Ardella Hochhalter in 1949, and they had three children. Willis enjoyed many different occupations in life, and lived in many locations, but farming was always closest to his heart. Willis and Ardella moved to Bismarck in 2002. He liked doing woodworking projects, and many people have one of his birdhouses to remember him by. Willis is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ardella, and their three children, Mary Lou (Mike) Bergman, Kelvin (Candice) Gartner, and Rebecca (Charles) Haag; eight grandchildren, Marcella (Jeff) Wuitschick, Michelle (Christopher) Bertsch, Nicole (Bruce) Greig, Ryan (Amanda) Gartner, Tyler (Keah) Gartner, Jill (Luke) Keller, Michelle (Matt) Davis and Jason Bergman; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Reuben, Herbert, and Harry.