Peter Gerald Ressler

Peter Gerald “Jerry” Ressler, 74, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at CHI St. Alexius Hospital surrounded by family on March 1st, 2019, after courageously battling cancer for 18 months.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, March 6th at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck with lunch and interment following the service.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 5th at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Cremation will take place following Tuesday visitation. 

Peter was born in Mandan, North Dakota, on November 16th, 1944, and spent most of his childhood growing up in Mott, ND, playing baseball, hunting and fishing.  He graduated from Mott High School in 1962.

Pete married Iola Pfenning in 1966 and they had two children, Robin and JoEll.

He served two years in the National Guard in his 20’s and used his charismatic charm in a career as a salesman. He sold everything ranging from pots and pans to insurance. He was an outdoorsman and loved hunting, fishing, and guiding. He established the Senior Gosling Goose Lodge in Maxbass, ND, where he was a host and guide to hunters from all over the world. He later became the president and gaming manager of the American Foundation for Wildlife. He enjoyed traveling throughout North America and beyond, making many memories and friends hunting and fishing.

Pete was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed visiting stadiums around the country to see his favorite team, the Yankees. He loved animals (especially cats), sharing stories, telling jokes, listening to his favorite music from the 60’s, and playing pool. He took pride in showing his collections of beer cans, hunting trophies, and Yankee memorabilia. You would often see him at A&B Pizza drinking beer with friends and watching NDSU Bison Football games while eating his famous “Pete’s Special” pizza. He would spend hours playing cards with friends and family and shared his passion by teaching the games to his daughters and grandchildren.

He served on the board of the Capital City Coin Club. He was well liked by all in the club because of his quick wit, jokes, and colorful stories of his life. He shared his knowledge and the fun of collecting with fellow members and generously helped to pay for youth club memberships.

Pete was a social and adventurous father, brother, friend and husband. He will be missed by his wife, Iola; daughters, Robin and JoEll; grandchildren, Madeline, Noah, and Tiberius; brothers, Jeff and Scott; and many friends and family.

“I’ve lived a life that’s full.  I’ve traveled each and every highway.  And more, much more than this, I did it my way.” – My Way, Frank Sinatra.