Gary J. Calheim

Gary J. Calheim, 71, Bismarck, ND, passed away Thursday, July 3, 2019, at his home, following a long battle with Emphysema and COPD.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place.

Gary was born in Bismarck on April 20^th, 1948 and raised on a farm north of McClusky, ND.  He attended a country school and then graduated from McClusky High School in 1967.  In 1968 Gary joined the United States Navy and following basic training was deployed to Vietnam where he served with the 22^nd Mobile Construction Battalion (Fighting Seabees).  After being stationed in Vietnam he was sent stateside to Gulfport, Mississippi.  While in Gulfport, Hurricane Camille struck the Gulf Coast and his unit was responsible for helping to evacuate local hospitals.  While finishing evacuating the last of the patients, one hospital collapsed behind them.  His unit helped to save numerous lives and newborn babies.  After an early honorable discharge in 1969, Gary returned to North Dakota and went to work in the oil field and later for a private water well contractor.  In the early 1970’s he met Loretta A. Hoffman of Turtle Lake, ND and they were married September 1^st, 1972 and lived in Bismarck.

In 1974, Gary started working with the ND State Water Commission and after obtaining his Certified Well Drillers Contractors License, he became the Water Well Driller in 1976 and worked for the Water Commission for 34 years.  In January of 1993 Gary was awarded the first of the department’s Professionalism Award and in October of 2008 was awarded the Governor’s Award for Excellence.

Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing and talking with friends.  He was a life member of the VFW-Bismarck and the American Legion in Turtle Lake. 

Gary is survived by one son, Dennis; and two sisters, Janice Helm and Brenda (Jim) Sather; all of Bismarck and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Loretta, and his parents Elmer and Anna Calheim.

Gary wanted to say a special thank you to all the doctors, nurses, CNA’s, and staff at Sanford for taking care of him all these years and numerous hospital visits.  In addition, a huge and special thank you to the neighbors who have helped in so many ways.  You were all a blessing to him.

Gary would prefer memorials to the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation in memory of his wife Loretta or your choice in his memory.