Gerald C. McLaughlin
Gerald C. McLaughlin, 82 of Bowman, ND, husband, dad, grandpa, brother and friend joined others gone before him on December 4, 2012 at Southwest Healthcare Center, Bowman, ND surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Bowman Lutheran Church. Pastor Galen Strand and Pastor Charles Swanson will officiate with burial to follow at Bowman Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Thursday from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at the Krebsbach/Kulseth Funeral Home Chapel. Friday, December 7th there will be a Family/Friends celebration of life and sharing memories of Gerald at 7:00 p.m. at Bowman Lutheran Church.
Gerald Charles McLaughlin was born October 28, 1930 at Rhame, ND, son of Alfred and Vetleen (Rosera) McLaughlin. Gerald was the 10th child in the family of five daughters and seven sons. He attended school at Richland Center and Rhame. As a child he enjoyed many activities with his siblings. His sister Viola was his Mother's helper in caring for her little brother and they remained very close through the years.
On November 21, 1949, Gerald married Darleen Rachel Getz at St. Mels Catholic Church in Rhame, ND. They lived in Rhame, and then on the McLaughlin farm in Slope County and resided for 58 years in Bowman ND. Gerald worked at the Rhame Farmers Union Oil Company, 25 years at Hilton Chevrolet and farming with Edgar Hilton. In 1975 he joined Knife River Coal Mining Co. where he began as a blaster, Cat operator , Easi-Miner, scraper operator and then mechanic in the shop. Gerald was selected as the Gascoyne Mine's Employee of the third quarter of 1992. Gerald's ability to get along with his fellow employees and share his knowledge with others were just a couple of his strong points. Loyalty, good work ethics, and an exceptional attitude made him a good role model. Gerald retired on October 30, 1992 after 17 years of service.
Gerald joined the Bowman Fire Department as a volunteer in May 1960. In 1972, he became Chief of the Rural, and became Chief of the City Department in 1973. Gerald & Darleen were regulars at the state fire conventions. Gerald retired from the Bowman Fire Department. In 1986 Gerald received the Ollie Siedschlaw Outstanding Citizen of the Year award. As a 33 year member of the Bowman Volunteer Fire Department , Gerald spent 13 of those years as fire chief.
Gerald served as a Board Member of the Bowman County Water District for 17 years.
Gerald served as a Bowman City Commissioner since December 7, 2006.
Gerald's hobbies included hunting, fishing and gardening. He enjoyed camping and spending time with his family. He loved coffee time and cards with his friends. Gerald had many pleasures in life, and family was the center of his life shared with his wife Darleen of 63 years, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Many people in the surrounding communities recall seeing Gerald mowing, spraying around the Bowman community for the Bowman Park Board and others.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Myrtle, Bernice, Viola, and Marcella, brothers, George and Eugene, son, Monte Lee, grandson Craig II McLaughlin, and son-in-law Donald Belakjon. He is survived by the following family members, who will miss him greatly: his wife of 63 years Darleen, Bowman, ND; daughters: Shari (Ernie) Ward, Brush, CO, Kim (Mike) Humann, Bismarck, ND and sons, Craig (Sarah) McLaughlin, Belfield, ND, and Bruce (Anita) McLaughlin, Bowman, ND; mother-in-law Fern Hagemiester, Bowman, ND, sister Lorena Dieken, Marshall, MN, Brothers Robert (Geri) McLaughlin, Loveland, CO, Clarence (Jean) McLaughlin, Green Valley, MN, Kenny (Rebecca) McLaughlin, Bowman, ND, Larry McLaughlin, Hemmet, CA; and sister-in-law Gloria McLaughlin, Brush, CO; Pat McLaughlin, Bowman, ND; grandchildren Tina (Roger) Thorson, Dickinson, ND, Shawna (Josh) Michelena, Banner, WY, Kirstin (Doug) Cayko, Aurora, CO, Brian (Rachel) Belakjon, Great Falls, MT, Katie (Jesse) Richardson, Joppa, MD, Matthew and Michael McLaughlin, Grand Forks, ND, and Nathan & Grace Humann, Bismarck, ND, great-grandchildren, Breanna Loder, Blythe, Nohl & Margaux Cayko, Paxten, Brinley, & Mayes Belakjon, and Kamy, Dellana, & Jorgen Michelena, and several nieces and nephews