Gerald Allen Semler, age 82, of Willow City, died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in a Rugby nursing home. His funeral will be held on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Willow City. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held today, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon, with a prayer service today at 7 p.m. in Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau
Gerald Allen Semler was born into time on Aug. 17, 1927, to Emil and Edith (Yerkie) Semler on the family farm in Ostby Township, Bottineau County. He attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Willow City High School in 1945.
He married Doris Vollmer at Willow City on Nov. 23, 1947. They lived on the family farm until retirement in 2005, at which time they moved into Willow City.
Over the years Gerald served his community as a longtime township officer and school board member. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Willow City, where he was baptized on Oct. 9, 1927, shortly after the original church building was dedicated. He was confirmed there as a teenager and served many years on the church council.
Gerald loved his wife of nearly 62 years, Doris, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved animals, his favorites being his cattle and especially his dogs. He was an avid outdoorsman who taught many young people to shoot, hunt, snowmobile, bowl and water ski. He was also dedicated to his farm, but was known to knock off on weekends and take the family to the cabin at Lake Metigoshe.
Children born to this union include: Cindie (Sherwood) Haakenson, Willow City; Tim (Connie) Semler, Willow City; and Susan (Tim) Arneson, Polson, Mont. Survivors also include grandchildren: Todd (Kristie) Haakenson, Brekka (Corey) Belisle and Holly (Daryl) Pritschet, all of Willow City; Lacey Semler, Minot; Jesse Arneson, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Kayla Arneson, Cooksville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren: Brody, Brock, Blake, and Brant Haakenson, Olivia Belisle and Taylor Pritschet; a sister, Mildred (Bjarne) Stousland, Fargo; brothers-in-law, Raymond (Helen) Vollmer and Victor (Doris) Vollmer; sister-in-law Evelyn Law; and many nieces and nephews.
Arrangements are with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.