Gregory E. Bohrer

Gregory Ernest Bohrer, beloved father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and cherished friend, passed away unexpectedly on November 12, 2023, at the age of 64. Greg was born on January 15, 1959, to Marlene and Duane Bohrer. 

To put it succinctly, Greg Bohrer was a man that wore many hats. Literally. From cowboy hats to baseball caps to funky golf hats, Greg wore them all. 

Greg grew up on a ranch near Menoken, ND. That time solidified his love for all things cowboy, including horses, cattle, and hunting. Greg attended Menoken grade school, Simle Junior High School, and Bismarck High School, for one year, then graduating from Century High School in 1977. 

Greg was a natural athlete. He excelled in football and basketball and, when it came to track season, Duane asked him to trade in his cleats for cowboy boots and calving duty. There were many memories and stories that Greg cherished of time spent with his brother, Mark, being cowboys out at the ranch. One of Greg’s claims to fame was he scored the very first touchdown in Century High School football history. Greg’s football skills led to a scholarship offer to Oral Roberts University. He could kick the leather off the ball. 

Greg also found a love for softball. Being competitive, hanging out with his buddies, and being a part of the social atmosphere. Greg very much enjoyed playing in the McQuade Softball Tournament, being a part of the teams that won the McQuade Tournament more than once. 

Greg had such a passion for sports that he eventually transitioned from playing to officiating, in both basketball and baseball. The man loved to wear a uniform. You would be hard pressed to find someone that wouldn’t describe his officiating as “tough but fair.” Greg regularly officiated the Western Dakota Association Tournament, State Basketball Tournament, Class B basketball and many college games. No winter roads were going to keep him from wearing black and white stripes. Greg refereed high school basketball for 34 years and college basketball for 22 years.

Many people will recognize him from being pulled over in those Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department vehicles. Greg proudly served as a Burleigh County Deputy Sheriff for 30 years, retiring as a lieutenant. Greg had a tremendous ability to work with people that were going through difficult times. He was able to de-escalate situations naturally and was often called to help with difficult individuals. The grace and patience that he afforded people was born of a natural empathy and care for others. 

After retiring from the Sheriff’s Department, Greg found passion and fulfillment in substituting in the Bismarck and Mandan school systems. Greg loved shaping the minds of the youth, always allowing them to be themselves but respectful to others, and continually encouraging them to be their best selves, regardless of their circumstances. Greg took great pride in walking down the hallways of schools and hear, “Mr. G! Mr. G, you are my favorite sub.” He was on a mission to make a difference and he did! He became so popular that he wasn’t able to accept all the subbing opportunities because of his full schedule. 

Greg couldn’t wait for spring, that meant he was heading outdoors for fishing, camping and golfing. As many of you know, Greg didn’t do anything halfway, it was all or nothing and that included golf. You would find him on the golf course often, but not if it wasn’t above 60 degrees. Few things made Greg happier than loading up the camper and boat for days of fishing with his friends. When it turned to fall, Greg couldn’t wait to go hunting with friends and his most loyal companions, Boone and Bear. He was always so proud of his dogs, even when they didn’t listen.

Greg loved a rodeo, the environment gave him energy and he felt at home. He especially enjoyed attending the Houston Rodeo with his sister and brother-in-law, Beth and Mike. 

The sparkle in his eye was his little girl, Rebecca. The world shifted for Greg Bohrer when his daughter was born and, for the first time, he had to adjust to consistently losing arguments. It was not a position that Greg was familiar with at all but he seemed to handle it with grace. The day that he walked Becca down the aisle at her wedding, was a day of great pride for him. You can imagine how many circles of trust Scott Bruns had to earn to receive the blessing from Greg for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Scott not only received that blessing from Greg, but became another son. 

On May 27, 2017, Greg became the proudest grandfather of the most beautiful little girl, Miss Emma Rose Bruns. Greg cherished the days that he would spend at the Bruns’ home, eating dinner and then spending quality time with his granddaughter. Taking her to the rodeo, the pictures of her sitting on his lap, were times when you saw him at his most content. 

Greg was always ready for an adventure and loved to travel, trying new things and learning kept him young. Trying new foods, seeing new places, and just embracing it all, was his fountain of youth. 

In the last years of his life, he met Nadine Privratsky and he fell head over heels in love.  Their time together was short but incredibly meaningful.  They shared a deep connection and enjoyed traveling, golfing, and just spending quality time together.

At his core, Greg enjoyed spending time with people. He had many groups of friends, due to his varied interests and passions, which is impossible to encapsulate him in these few paragraphs. Though people may come and go in life, Greg was loyal to those he could call a friend. Greg was a friend in the most deep and sincere sense of the word. He didn’t ask for much but he would give all he had. It didn’t matter the time of the day, or which day, Greg would be there for a friend. 

As we, his family, work on writing this obit, somehow attempting to summarize who Greg is/was into some type of write up, we all recognize the futility. Greg was a million puzzle pieces, complex, frustrating, kind and, yes again, frustrating. If you knew Greg, you know there are stories that we could never capture. We ask you, if you have a story, which I’m sure you do, please share it with us, with others, with strangers…Greg loved to tell a good story and, in turn, listen to one. So, we ask, in Greg’s memory, share a story. 

In conclusion, for Greg, let us all say, “How ‘bout them Cowboys?”

Greg leaves behind his very special friend, Nadine Privratsky; his children, Justin Bohrer, Rebecca & Scott Bruns; his granddaughter, Emma Bruns; his dogs, Boone & Bear; his mother, Marlene Bohrer; brother, Mark (Kim) Bohrer; sister, Beth (Mike) Thompson; uncle, Jim Weigum; nieces, Brittany Bohrer and Ashley (Mitch) Hoesing.

Greg is preceded in death by Duke, the goodest boy, Greg’s yellow lab and best friend, and Duane Bohrer, Greg’s father.