Gerald “Jerry” Duane McLachlan, 87, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2026.

Jerry was born on September 13, 1938, in Westhope, North Dakota, to Gordon and Signa (Lee) McLachlan. He grew up in Maxbass, graduating from Maxbass High School before attending Minot State University. Jerry proudly served his country in the United States Army for two years as a Private.

In 1959, Jerry began his career with Northwest Airlines at Chicago Midway Airport. In 1960, he transferred to Bismarck, where he built both a career and a life rooted in community and family. After more than 40 years of dedicated service, he retired from Northwest Airlines in July of 2000.

Jerry married the love of his life, Sandra (Berke) McLachlan, and together they shared many wonderful years filled with family, friendships, and travel. Sandra preceded him in death in March of 2015. Though he deeply missed her, Jerry continued to live with the warmth, kindness, and welcoming spirit that defined him throughout his life. If you knew Jerry, you knew he never met a stranger.

Jerry’s faith was an important part of his life, and he was a longtime member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. He also believed strongly in giving back to his community through organizations including the Shriners and the Dusters in Bismarck. Jerry and Sandra were active supporters of the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation for many years.

Jerry loved sports of all kinds, especially cheering on the Wizards basketball team and attending local high school sporting events. He enjoyed traveling to watch Virgil Hill boxing matches and PGA golf tournaments, and he was an enthusiastic member of the Harley Owners Group (HOG). Whether on the golf course, traveling with friends, or simply visiting with people around town, Jerry’s humor, storytelling, and easy conversation left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Jerry is survived by his son, Dante McLachlan and wife Nichole (Ische) McLachlan; and his cherished grandchildren, Riley McLachlan and Addison McLachlan. He is also survived by his brother, Rodney McLachlan and wife Teresa (Berke) McLachlan; his sister, Diane (McLachlan) Reinholz and husband Jim Reinholz; sister-in-law Cheryl (Berke) Gerjets; along with many extended family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sandra McLachlan; his parents, Gordon and Signa (Lee) McLachlan; his father-in-law, Obert Berke, and mother-in-law, Signe (Opstad) Berke, and his brother-in-law, Larry Gerjets.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, June 11th, at Lord of Life Church, 1143 N 26th Street, Bismarck, ND. The family will greet guests one hour prior to the service. To view the service livestream, please click on the link provided ~ Gerald McLachlan

Burial will be held at 11 AM, Friday, June 12, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, or the Scottish Rite Speech Center.

Jerry’s kindness, laughter, and gift for connecting with people will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.