Gerald Reif, 83, Garrison, died on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Trinity Hospital in Minot. Memorial services will be held on Monday, October 30 at 10:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison. Burial will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in rural Mandan, ND.
Gerald was born May 11, 1934 in Salem, SD to Ray and Rose (McCormick) Reif. He was raised in Salem and attended St. Mary's Catholic School. He served in the US Marines from May 4, 1954 to May 3, 1957, being honorably discharged as a Corporal.
On July 3, 1978, Gerald married Carol Otto in Minot, ND. Gerald was a lifelong journeyman lineman. He worked for Donavan Construction out of Minnesota. His work took him and Carol many places in the upper Midwest including, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and of course North Dakota. They were living in Karlsruhe, ND before moving to Garrison.
The move to Garrison was prompted by Gerald's love of fishing. He was an avid fisherman and spent as much time on the water as he possibly could. He would fish anywhere, but his favorite spot was the Garrison Dam Tailrace, where he always seem to catch walleye.
Gerald was a lifetime member of the VFW, and was also a member of the IBEW Local 714.
Gerald is survived by his wife Carol, constant companion, dog Peggy Sue, Garrison; daughters, Diana Strachen, Janet Herman, and Deanna Hunter , all of Karlsruhe; special granddaughter, Emily Schiele, Karlsruhe; daughters, Cathy Randall, Phoenix, AZ, Connie Sandvig, Weston, WI, Barbara Reif, Tempe, AZ, Theresa (Dan) Sherwood, Tempe, AZ; son, David (Carrie Jo) Reif, Cologne, MN; 7 grandchildren, Jasmine, Jerry, and Jenai Sandvig, Stephanie and Harley Reif, Elizabeth McGrane, and Mariana Leonard-Mayer; and 3 great grandchildren, Theodore Horsefall, Kayden Hassel, and Riley McGrane; brother, Richard (Susan)Reif, Rapid City, SD; sister, Rita (Al) Moldren, Mitchell, SD; sister-in-law, Janet Reif, Salem, SD; brother-in-law, Howard Caylor, Ethan, SD; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Susan Denise Reif, grandchild, Louisa Leonard-Mayer, brother, Roger Reif, and sisters, Renae Caylor and Sharon Kennedy.