Garry Duane Freier, 83, of Bismarck, ND, passed away at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck on May 14, 2026.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, May 20, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy.

Burial will be held at the Steele Cemetery.

Garry was born on October 29, 1942, in Streeter, ND, to Hulda (Wentz) and Edward Freier. He was the oldest of their two sons and was raised on the family farmstead in the Streeter/Napoleon area. He attended country school through the eighth grade, just across the highway from the family home. When he was not helping with farm work, Garry enjoyed spending time with his 19 Freier cousins who lived on nearby farmsteads. He graduated from Streeter High School in 1960.

Garry continued his education at Valley City State College, graduating in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a minor in Physics. He later earned his Master’s degree in School Counseling from ND State University.

He taught chemistry and physics for nine years in Glen Ullin, ND, where he met his future wife, Loris Kapp, when she student taught there in 1970. They were married in December 1971 and were blessed with two sons, Travis Duane in 1976 and Trent James in 1980. During his teaching years, Garry proudly started and coached the Glen Ullin girls track team, an experience that remained one of his favorite memories throughout his life.

After completing his Master’s degree, Garry served as a school counselor in Flasher, Carson, and Elgin for five years. In July 1978, a promotion brought Garry and his family to Bismarck when he accepted a position with the West Central Human Service Center as Educational Consultant for an eight-county area. He later worked for more than 20 years with the State Board for Vocational and Technical Education as State Supervisor for special needs programs until his retirement in 2007.

Garry was known for his kind, positive, and friendly personality. He deeply loved and valued his family and friends. He possessed a strong work ethic and was a talented handyman. With his love of building, he and his sons constructed a lake home at Lake Isabel near Dawson, ND.

Hunting was one of Garry’s favorite activities, and he especially looked forward to opening weekend of deer hunting. He loved the North Dakota Badlands and cherished his annual tradition of attending the Medora Musical, so he was especially delighted when he had the opportunity to hunt there as well. His farm upbringing also sparked a lifelong fondness for Farmall tractors, and he proudly collected four antique Farmall tractors, which he enjoyed taking on tractor treks.

Service to others was an important part of Garry’s life. Feeling Bismarck needed an evening Lions Club, with assistance of his friend Brach Johnson, he was instrumental in forming and chartering the Bismarck North Star Lions Club in 1980. He served as District Governor in 1983–1984 and remained an active Lion for 58 years. In 2003, he was inducted into the ND Lions Hall of Fame. Garry achieved his goal of 50 years of perfect attendance, and in 2022, his Lions Club honored him with the North Star Legend Award.

Another of Garry’s passions was BMX bicycle racing. For 13 years, he supported and coached his sons in BMX racing and served seven years as president of the BMX parent group. He also served on the fundraising committee that helped establish the million-dollar Cottonwood complex, home of BMX racing in south Bismarck.

In retirement, Garry and Loris spent six winters in Mesa, AZ, enjoying three months each year in the Sunland Springs senior community, where they also participated as Associate Members of the Lions Club.

Garry is survived by his loving wife, Loris; sons, Travis Freier of Rapid City, SD, and Trent Freier of Fargo, ND; Travis’ fiancée, Lucy Giesing; brother, Larry Freier of Fargo; niece, Julianna (Craig) Nice of Ardoch, ND; nephew, Cory (Anne Schaffhauser) Freier of Fargo; brother-in-law, Marlin Kapp of Steele, ND; nephew, James (Tasha Kopf) Kapp of Hurley, SD; great-nieces, McKenzie and Aubrie Freier, Alexis Nice (Powers), Elizabeth Nice (Zikmund), Emma and Josephine Nice, and Rayna and Regan Kapp; along with several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hulda and Edward Freier; an infant sister; his in-laws, Emma and Nathaniel Kapp; and sister-in-law, Gloria Kapp.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Garry’s memory to the Lions Foundation of ND to support projects benefiting communities across ND through local Lions Clubs. Donations may be sent to Lions Foundation of ND, 119 Grassy Hills Lane, Grand Forks, ND 58201.