Gary Allard

Gary Edward Allard passed from this life to his eternal home with Jesus on May 4, 2018, surrounded by the love of his family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 10:30 am at Charity Lutheran Church, 120 Aspen Ave., Bismarck, with the Rev. Scott Bauman officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 5:00 pm  - 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 9, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Gary was born in Devils Lake, ND on Nov. 15, 1946 to Edward & Harriet (Anderson) Allard. He spent the first years of life on the family farm by Warwick, ND exploring the outdoors and playing with his siblings and cousins. The family moved to Devils Lake when he was ten years old. He graduated high school at Devils Lake Central High and it was there he met the love of his life, Chere Seibert. They married in the fall after graduation and Gary attended Devils Lake Junior College for two years and then moved to Grand Forks, ND, where he attended UND for six more years, graduating with a Master’s Degree in Biology to pursue his love of the great outdoors. During that time, they had four children who soon learned to love the outdoors as much as he did. They spent their summers hiking and camping at dozens of lakes in Minnesota and their winters, ice skating, sledding and attending every UND Fighting Sioux Hockey game with their parents and friends. In 1974, they moved to Minot, ND, where Gary did research at Minot State College. Within a year, he became chronically ill, but sickness did not have victory over him. In 1977, the family moved to Beulah, ND, where Gary went into partnership with Bob Alexander. They formed West River Realty and West River Builders. Gary was a Broker and Contractor until he retired in 2008. Gary was very involved as a community leader in Beulah, he served on the City Council for 20 years, and served as Mayor for 4 years. He also served in leadership capacities for: Beulah Jobs Development Authority, Beulah Zoning and Planning, Beulah Senior Housing, Mercer County Economic Development, Beulah Chamber of Commerce, Dakota Leadership Team, Coal Country Community Health Center and he was involved with many other areas of service and community enrichment programs. In 2004, the Lignite Energy Council presented Gary with the Lignite Public Service Award and in 2005; the ND Chamber of Commerce presented Gary with the North Dakota Community Leadership award. Gary was the best Son, Husband, Dad, Papa, Great Grandpapa, Brother and Friend anyone could ever have. His love for his family, friends, and community was the driving force to live his life to the fullest and make the best of every day in spite of 45 years of chronic health problems. After doing research in the Badlands of ND for his Master’s Dissertation he spent the next 45 years hunting in the Badlands every fall with a group of very close friends and introduced his brothers, sons, grandsons and great grandsons to the Badlands and included them all in the fall Badland’s hunting experience. He was so excited to take his three Great Grandson’s to the Badlands camping and introduce them to the wildlife of western ND. Gary and Chere traveled extensively with family and friends during their 53 years of marriage, camping, exploring many lakes and natural trails with their young family, and enjoying many years of downhill skiing in various states of the Rocky Mountains. Yearly trips were taken on vacation with their children, grandchildren, and visiting relatives around the country. Most of their trips included places where Gary could golf and Chere could enjoy the beach and ocean. Gary spent his life as a leader, teacher and role model to all who knew him. He taught us how to live life fully in love, service, acceptance, forgiveness and perseverance without ever complaining. Gary and Chere filled their lives and home with family and friends who were welcomed and invited to come and stay as long as they wished. Blessed and grateful for sharing his life is his wife, Chere, their children; Kelle (Scott Hellman) Allard, Steffanie (Randy) Boeckel, Scott (Monica) Allard, David (Gina) Allard. Grandchildren; Tyler (Briana) Boeckel, Nate Boeckel, Amber (Chris) Flavin, Taylor (Nick Perreault) Allard, Karleigh & Logan Allard, Evan & Jacob Allard. Great Grandchildren; Kaden, Bennett, Ayla, and Harlow Flavin, Benjamin Perreault, Lennon & Nash Boeckel. His sisters, Diane (Joe) Herda, Connie (Bernie) Magilke, Debbie (Kenny) Quam, and his brothers, Kevin (Mary) Allard, and Mark (Gale) Allard, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials go to Circle C Ranch (Summer Day Camps) and Charity Lutheran Church (Youth Vision).