Gary M. Stegmiller

Gary Manuel Stegmiller, 76, died November 6, 2024, after a battle with cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Tuesday, November 12th at Weigel Funeral Home with a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Burial will follow at 12 Noon Tuesday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with full military rites.

Gary was born June 17, 1948, in Mandan, ND, to Manuel and Frances (Scholl) Stegmiller. Gary grew up on the family farm near Flasher and attended school in Flasher. Starting in a one-room schoolhouse near the farm and later at Flasher public schools, he graduated from Flasher High School in 1966. After graduation, Gary attended the National Electronics Institute in Denver where he studied electronics. He then took a job with Collins Radio Company in Newport Beach, CA. In 1968, he was drafted into the Marine Corps and following his training was sent to Vietnam where he served in the 13th Marine Artillery Regiment. Gary returned to North Dakota and took a job as a broadcast engineer with KXMB-TV, later moving to Prairie Public TV and Radio. After that, he worked for the United States Postal Service as an electronics technician until his retirement. Gary married Donna M. Fischer and together they had two sons, Wes and Scott. They later divorced. 

In 2006, Gary married Donna K. Chertkow whom he met while he lived and worked in California in 1968. They were torn apart by the war, but when their second chance came, they took it, and enjoyed life together to the fullest. Gary enjoyed woodworking and spent hours in his workshop building many pieces of furniture. He also had a serious interest in horticulture and spent years pushing the limits to get new varieties of nuts and fruit to produce in the extreme northern climate. His efforts proved successes in growing hickory, black walnut, and pecan trees in central North Dakota. Also, his knowledge of automobiles stemmed from the 1970 Camaro he purchased upon returning from Vietnam and which he owned for 51 years before passing it on to his son Scott. Most likely, he could have built a Camaro from the wheels up if only he could find the parts. 

Gary is survived by his wife, Donna Stegmiller; two sons, Wes (Amy) Stegmiller, Jamestown and Scott (Janice) Stegmiller, Lake Stevens, WA; three stepsons, Scott Chertkow and Dan Chertkow, both of Anchorage, AK and Kevin Chertkow, Decatur, MS; three grandchildren, and six step-grandchildren; three sisters, Joyce (Ray) Fleck, Elaine Riehl (friend, Glenn Dittus), and Alice (Marlo) Anderson; two brothers, Steve (Barb) Stegmiller and Bob (Terri) Stegmiller, all of Mandan; brother-in-law, Larry Morgen (friend, Cindy Erickson), of Mandan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Frances; brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Lavonne Stegmiller; and sister, Peggy Morgen; 

Gary and family gives a big thank you to the VA for taking care of Gary's medical needs during his illness. They were always there to help when needed. Also, Sanford’s hospice rendered such compassionate care to keep him comfortable and monitored during his last days. The family asks for anyone wishing to give, donate to your local horticultural society, plant a tree or flowers, support the local hospice services, or, more importantly, thank a veteran for his service.