Brian Gutknecht

Brian Allan Gutknecht passed onto Heaven above on July 7th, 2025.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM, Monday, July 14, 2025, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck.

Family will greet guests one hour prior to service.

Burial will be held at 3:00 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Brian was born to Herbert and Eileen Gutknecht on March 6th, 1949. Brian was educated during 1st through 3rd grade in Underwood, North Dakota. Then 4th through 12th grade in Harvey, North Dakota. Brian then graduated from Harvey High School in 1967. He attended UND from Fall of 1967 to 1969. In 1969, Brian joined the US Army and in 1970 was honorably discharged serving during the Vietnam War Era. Brian then attended NDSCS in Wahpeton, ND and Dickinson State University. Brian received his BA Degree from DSU in 1974.

On December 12th, 1980, Brian married the love of life Julene Henning and lived in Mandan. To this wonderful blissful marriage came four stepchildren that Brian took on as his own. Four years later, they shared the joy of another daughter, Kayla, born in 1985. Brian always told his mother he wanted a beautiful wife to love and to have a child of his own and God blessed him with both. Brian and Julene shared 44 wonderful years of memories, trips, friends and family together, that will be forever cherished by anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Brian and Julene and being a part of their lives.

Most of Brian’s life, jobs were mainly in two areas the hospitality industry and insurance sales. When he was not busy working, Brian took plenty of opportunities to golf, travel, and cheer on his favorite three professional teams: The Green Bay Packers, The LA Lakers, and The NY Yankees. He had a heart full of love for family and friends, anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Brian would know the impact he had on anyone he loved. In May of 2010, Brian’s love opened even stronger and more when he got the pleasure of watching his granddaughter, Madison Hartleib come into this world. His granddaughter was his pride and joy.

Brian is survived by his wife, Julene Gutknecht, Bismarck; daughter, Kayla Gutknecht-Meschke, Watford City; granddaughter, Madison Hartleib, Watford City; three stepdaughters, Natalie Henning, Mesa, AZ; Wendy (Jerome) Dillon, Sun City West, AZ; Teresa Minniefield (Lawrence), Peoria, AZ; and a stepson, Ryan Henning (Stephanie), Littleton, CO.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Eileen Gutknecht; brothers, Bradley and David; and both sets of his grandparents.

Please proceed to the Stadium Sports Bar after the burial to celebrate and share good memories of Brian with the family as this was one of his final wishes.