John P. Getz, 93, Bowman, ND, died Wednesday evening, August 10, 2011 at the West River Regional Medical Center, Hettinger, ND. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday afternoon, August 15th, at 2:00 PM at the Bowman Lutheran Church, Bowman. The Reverend Galen Strand will officiate, with burial to follow the service in Tuttle Cemetery southwest of Rhame, ND. A family service will be held Sunday evening at 7:00 PM at Bowman Lutheran Church.
Johnny Getz was born December 24, 1917 a (Christmas gift) in Richland Township in Slope County, ND, son of Albert and Katherine (Maurer) Getz. He was reared on the family farm in Slope County. He attended grade school in Richland Center School and graduated from Rhame High School in 1937. He married Corinne Hande June 6, 1942 at Baker, Montana. They lived in Rhame where they operated the drayline, and in 1943 they purchased the Schauman farm sixteen miles north of Rhame. In 1946 they bought the Parks place eleven miles northeast of Rhame, where they farmed and ranched until 1987, when they retired and moved to Dickinson. In 1988 they moved to Bowman. In September of 2010 he became a resident of Southwest Long Term Care in Bowman until the time of his death.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Rhame where he served on the church board. He also served on the Farmers Union Oil board in Rhame, Bowman-Slope Soil Conservation District, and the Roosevelt Custer Regional Council for Region Eight. He also served in the CCC's.
His family was his life and he was very proud of their every accomplishments. The Getz farm was always the place for the holiday gatherings. He always welcomed his extended family of nephews and nieces to the farm to share his wisdom of farming with them. Every morning began with a serving of pancakes made by Corinne or him. Johnny was a giving man who would give "the shirt off his back" to anyone who needed it. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. He never raised his voice, nor told his children to do something but asked them to do it. He was a steward of the land and received two conservation awards. He knew his cows' ages but not his kids' ages. He loved to fish, hunt, and was an avid Minnesota Twins fan. He enjoyed a good game of Whist or Pinochle and enjoyed the activities at the home, especially Bingo and Bible Studies. The highlight of his days was visits from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his face would light up when they walked into the room. He was a most loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend, and will be missed deeply by his family and all who knew him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Corinne, his son, Myron, grandson Darin Septon, brothers Harry, Oscar, Roy, Albert, Lloyd and Kenny, and sisters Edna Kempenich, Ruth Norman, Dorothy Hayden, Emily Walser, and Agnes Krusemark. Survivors include, four daughters and sons-in-law: Kay Marie and Dave Anderson, Bowman, ND; Cooky and Jim Septon, Bowman, ND; Peg and Jon Schlenker, Jamestown, ND; and Pam and Steve Popiel, Beach, ND; one daughter-in-law Betty Getz Dickinson, ND; ten grandchildren Alan Getz, Rhame, ND; Judy (Dale) Johnson, John (Trisha) Getz, Dickinson, ND; David (Monica) Septon Rhame, ND; Michelle Septon, Bowman, ND; Jennifer (Gary) Schmidt, Jill Schlenker, Jamestown,ND; Heather (Stacey) Baumann, Bismarck, ND; Corinne (Travis) Risovi, Minnewaukan, ND; and Nathan Popiel, Mandan, ND; sixteen great-grandchildren: Dayton, Kylie and Talon Getz, Hannah, Mariah, Kaylee, and Devin Septon, Corinne Schmidt, Malayna, Cara, and Cole Baumann, Annie, Taytum, and Jove Risovi, Jack and Ty Popiel; and two great-great granddaughters Myra and Destiny Getz, two sisters-in-law, Fern Hagemeister or Bowamn and Dorothy Getz of Glendive, MT, and numerous nieces and nephews.