Gary W. Boettcher, age 88 of Bottineau, passed away on Tuesday, August 13th, 2024 in his home.  His funeral will be held at First Lutheran Church in Bottineau on Friday August 16th at 10:00am.  Family and friends are welcome to the visitation Thursday August 15th 5:00-7:00pm at Nero Funeral Home and one hour before the service on Friday at First Lutheran.

Gary was born September 17, 1935 to Ruth (Hetland) and Harold Boettcher.  Gary was raised on their farm near Roth ND with his 4 siblings. He was confirmed at Lesje Lutheran Church and completed his education at Bottineau High School. Growing up, Gary was surrounded by farming and family.  He enlisted in the US Army in 1959 and was stationed at Fort Riley, KS.  While home on leave, he was married to Lynne (Bergman) on December 23, 1959. They spent their first year of marriage in Fort Riley where their first child was born.  Following his discharge, Gary was assigned to Nebraska Army National Guard for 6 years.  He was recently recognized for his 60 continuous years of membership with the American Legion Post 0302.

Following his time in the Army, Gary worked in the trucking industry in oil fields across North Dakota.  In later years, Gary was a rural mail carrier in Bottineau County. In Gary's retirement, he worked for Theel and Drive Chevrolet and the Bottineau Veterans Association.

While in Westhope, he was a councilman for Trinity Lutheran Church, a member of the Lions Club, worked with the WPA, and was generally involved in anything that needed a worker.  After retirement, Gary and Lynne moved to Bottineau. Gary was on the properties board at First Lutheran Church for several years and enjoyed their Thursday morning coffee group.  He could often be found at the local bakery and the Vets Club. During Gary and Lynne's 64 years of marriage, they enjoyed their summer weekends at Metigoshe and their many travels visiting family across the country.

Gary is survived by his 4 children; Allen (Jackie) Boettcher of Lake Metigoshe, Barbara (Jim) Muckenhirn of Karlstad MN, Janice (Joe) Kern of Grafton, Paul (Erin) Boettcher of Bottineau; grandchildren Kelsey (Scott) Biberdorf of Overly, Carly (Derek) Blasing of Minot, Emily Boettcher of Los Angeles, Kenny Kern and Tommy Kern of Fargo, Jack and Charlie Kern of Grafton, Nicolas Loberg of Fargo, Michael Loberg, Adam Boettcher and Annika Boettcher of Bottineau; great grandchildren Kiera Biberdorf, Audrey Wierson, Zoe Biberdorf and Rory Blasing; his brother Bruce and wife Bonnie in Eugene OR, his sister Marlene Moorhead in North East PA and sister-in-law, Lauri Boettcher of North East PA

Gary was preceded in death by his wife Lynne in April of this year, his parents Ruth and Harold, cousin Lester Hetland, brother Marc, sister Sharon Dunderland, nephew Clifford Dunderland, brothers-in-law Doug Moorhead and Ellsworth Dunderland, mother and father-in-law Elizabeth and Otto Bergman.