Gerald Howard

Gerald "Gary" Howard, 82, Bismarck, passed away on March 5, 2024.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00AM, Friday, March 15, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 502 N 4th St, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held an hour before the service.

Interment at Oakdale Cemetery in Killdeer, ND.

Gerald “Gary” Marion Howard was born in Killdeer, ND on July 26^th, 1941, the son of Harold Louis & Emma Verne (Davis) Howard. He grew up on the family farm north of Dunn Center, ND. Gary attended several country schools as well as high school in Dunn Center, graduating in 1959. He attended Dickinson State College for two years, moved to Fargo, ND & studied at Interstate Business College for one year. There, he met the mother of his oldest son & together they had Barry Howard. Several years later, Gary remarried & had two more children, Genna (Barber) & Jesse Howard.

Gary held many different job positions throughout his career, mostly in sales & management. He lived in several states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Colorado & eventually wound up back in his home state of North Dakota. There, he met the love of his life, Irene (Bren) Dvorak & they married on October 24^th, 1997. Irene & Gary lived in Minot, ND for 16 years, where Gary ended his sales career working for Anderson Equipment in Ross, ND, retiring in 2012. While employed with Anderson Equipment, Gary was awarded the number one dealer for Bourgault Air Seeder & Tiller Equipment twice & was also named the #1 dealer in the US. Once retired, Gary took his bucket list road trip. He bought an old Cadillac & headed out on Route 66, traveling across the US for over a month. Gary always took so much pride in the fact that he had been to all 50 states. Gary had a great sense of humor; his laugh will be missed.

In 2014, Gary & Irene moved to Bismarck, ND. Gary enjoyed socializing with friends, going out to lunch every day, traveling, playing cards, going to auction sales, as well as attending bull sales with his nephew Darrell & being his “senior advisor.” After retirement, Gary bought his dream car, a 2016 Chevy Camero convertible. This was his pride & joy, and he would proudly cruise around in this every summer. Gary was very passionate about football & was always bummed when the season would end. He got the chance to attend games at several stadiums across the country. Gary was especially proud of his children & stepchildren & all their accomplishments. He loved all his grandkids dearly & took much pride in being their grandpa.

Gary was active in several organizations such as the Eagles, which he was president of for two years in Minot, ND. He was also active with the Elks, Moose Lodge & was part of several Lutheran churches over the years, Trinity Lutheran in Bismarck being the last.

Gary is survived by his wife, Irene, of 26 years; his daughter, Genna (Kyle) Barber, their daughters, Beaux & Brooke; his son, Jesse (Samantha) Howard & his stepchildren Dominic & Ripley. Stepchildren Mitchell Dvorak, Aaron Dvorak, Andrea (John Williams) Dvorak, her daughters, Asaycia & Isabella; Kelsey (Thomas) Hennessy, their daughters, Blake, Blair & Elliot; Christopher (ShaLene Trulson) Dvorak & their children, Lux Clark, Oz, Arlo & Ezmae. Sister-in-law, Patricia Howard, nephews Duane (Laura), Darrell & Douglas (Lori) Howard & several great nieces. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Harold & Vern Howard; his brother, Ralph Howard; his son, Barry Howard; stepdaughter, Lori Dvorak & his grandson, Avett Hennessy.