1944
Gerald
2014
Gerald Rohrich
October 1, 1944 — October 8, 2014
Gerald Rohrich, 70, Bismarck, died October 8, 2014 at residence in Bismarck.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, October 13, 2014 at Church of St. Mary’s, Bismarck, ND with Msgr. Gene Lindemann as celebrant. Inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Bismarck AMVETS #9.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 3:00-8:00 pm at Weigel Funeral Home, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 5:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.
On the first killing frost of the season, Gerald George Rohrich was born October 1, 1944 in Bismarck, ND. His parents were George and Marie (Roesler) Rohrich of Napoleon, ND. Gerry attended school in Napoleon, graduating in 1962. After graduation he went to Wahpeton State School of Science, earning a degree in auto and diesel technology.
Gerry married the love of his life, Marcille Werre on December 2, 1967. Marcille would not only be his wife but also his business partner for 48 years. They had one daughter, Lisa Ann.
The first business Gerry opened was in 1964 in Napoleon and called it Rohrich’s Repair. In 1966 he left to serve his country in the National Guard. Upon his return, Gerry owned and operated Rohrich’s Repair and Rohrich’s Custom Harvesting. When their daughter, Lisa, started school in 1971, Gerry quit custom harvesting and accepted a teaching position in the Bismarck Public School System, teaching Auto Mechanics at the Bismarck Vocational Tech Center. He would also teach small engine repair classes at the State Prison Farm. He did this for 11 years.
It was at this time that Gerry earned his pilot’s license and bought his first plane, a Cessna that he used to check on his business in Napoleon. With more flying experience he purchased a Cherokee and then upgraded to the Beechcraft Bonanza. He enjoyed flying various family members to all parts of the United States.
In 1984 Gerry opened Rohrich’s Chevy and Olds in Elgin, ND. He returned to Bismarck in 1989 to own and operate Rohrich’s Used Cars. Gerry was a member of the Northland Independent Auto Dealers Association for more than 20 years. They awarded him the 1992 State Quality Dealer Award, the groups’ highest state award. He went on to compete in the National Quality Competition. Gerry was the ND State President of Northland Independent, a member of Pioneer Auto Club since 1970 and held memberships in the Bismarck-Mandan Elks Club, American Legion and AMVETS. Gerry kept his ties to his hometown by being an active member of the Napoleon Alumni, serving as an officer the past 13 years. Through these business ventures and memberships Gerry made many, many friends and acquaintances. One couldn’t go anywhere with Gerry and not end up talking to a former student or someone with whom he had done business.
When hunting season came you could find Gerry in the fields around the farm in Napoleon. Gerry’s brothers and nephews enjoyed many hunts with him and they will cherish those special memories. Gerry’s love of travel allowed him and Marcille to see the United States and travel abroad. A highlight was going to Turkey in 1985. His love of old cars resulted in a collection that represents models spanning the last 82 years. Antique collecting was also a favorite pastime of his. There wasn’t anything Gerry couldn’t fix, build or remodel.
Those blessed to share Gerry’s life ware his wife, Marcille; his daughter, Lisa and her special person, Jesse Baker, Bismarck, ND; his sisters, Marlene (Rod) McAllister and Linda (Jim) Stevenson all of Arizona and Carolyn (Larry) Van Ness, Idaho; his brothers Dean (Sharon) of Valley City, ND and George (Valerie) of St. Peters, MN; his brother-in-law, Ray (Barb) Werre, Dawson, ND and is sisters-in-law, Charlene (Lyle) Schuchard, Bismarck, ND and Viola (Leo) Wolf, Napoleon, ND. Gerry always had time for his 19 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Rohrich; his nephew William McAllister; his father and mother-in-law, Art J. and Emma Werre and his sister-in-law Verdella Schnabel.
Gerry’s family invites you to join them after the burial service at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery for lunch at the Bismarck AMVETS Club.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, October 13, 2014 at Church of St. Mary’s, Bismarck, ND with Msgr. Gene Lindemann as celebrant. Inurnment will be at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Bismarck AMVETS #9.
Visitation will be held Sunday, October 12, 2014 from 3:00-8:00 pm at Weigel Funeral Home, with a Rosary/Parish Vigil at 5:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Monday.
On the first killing frost of the season, Gerald George Rohrich was born October 1, 1944 in Bismarck, ND. His parents were George and Marie (Roesler) Rohrich of Napoleon, ND. Gerry attended school in Napoleon, graduating in 1962. After graduation he went to Wahpeton State School of Science, earning a degree in auto and diesel technology.
Gerry married the love of his life, Marcille Werre on December 2, 1967. Marcille would not only be his wife but also his business partner for 48 years. They had one daughter, Lisa Ann.
The first business Gerry opened was in 1964 in Napoleon and called it Rohrich’s Repair. In 1966 he left to serve his country in the National Guard. Upon his return, Gerry owned and operated Rohrich’s Repair and Rohrich’s Custom Harvesting. When their daughter, Lisa, started school in 1971, Gerry quit custom harvesting and accepted a teaching position in the Bismarck Public School System, teaching Auto Mechanics at the Bismarck Vocational Tech Center. He would also teach small engine repair classes at the State Prison Farm. He did this for 11 years.
It was at this time that Gerry earned his pilot’s license and bought his first plane, a Cessna that he used to check on his business in Napoleon. With more flying experience he purchased a Cherokee and then upgraded to the Beechcraft Bonanza. He enjoyed flying various family members to all parts of the United States.
In 1984 Gerry opened Rohrich’s Chevy and Olds in Elgin, ND. He returned to Bismarck in 1989 to own and operate Rohrich’s Used Cars. Gerry was a member of the Northland Independent Auto Dealers Association for more than 20 years. They awarded him the 1992 State Quality Dealer Award, the groups’ highest state award. He went on to compete in the National Quality Competition. Gerry was the ND State President of Northland Independent, a member of Pioneer Auto Club since 1970 and held memberships in the Bismarck-Mandan Elks Club, American Legion and AMVETS. Gerry kept his ties to his hometown by being an active member of the Napoleon Alumni, serving as an officer the past 13 years. Through these business ventures and memberships Gerry made many, many friends and acquaintances. One couldn’t go anywhere with Gerry and not end up talking to a former student or someone with whom he had done business.
When hunting season came you could find Gerry in the fields around the farm in Napoleon. Gerry’s brothers and nephews enjoyed many hunts with him and they will cherish those special memories. Gerry’s love of travel allowed him and Marcille to see the United States and travel abroad. A highlight was going to Turkey in 1985. His love of old cars resulted in a collection that represents models spanning the last 82 years. Antique collecting was also a favorite pastime of his. There wasn’t anything Gerry couldn’t fix, build or remodel.
Those blessed to share Gerry’s life ware his wife, Marcille; his daughter, Lisa and her special person, Jesse Baker, Bismarck, ND; his sisters, Marlene (Rod) McAllister and Linda (Jim) Stevenson all of Arizona and Carolyn (Larry) Van Ness, Idaho; his brothers Dean (Sharon) of Valley City, ND and George (Valerie) of St. Peters, MN; his brother-in-law, Ray (Barb) Werre, Dawson, ND and is sisters-in-law, Charlene (Lyle) Schuchard, Bismarck, ND and Viola (Leo) Wolf, Napoleon, ND. Gerry always had time for his 19 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents, George and Marie Rohrich; his nephew William McAllister; his father and mother-in-law, Art J. and Emma Werre and his sister-in-law Verdella Schnabel.
Gerry’s family invites you to join them after the burial service at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery for lunch at the Bismarck AMVETS Club.
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