Garry Driessen

Bismarck

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Garry Leo Driessen, 79 of Bismarck and formerly from Balfour.

On June 22nd, Garry unexpectedly experienced a devastating brain bleed and was admitted to ICU at Sanford Health. His loving family surrounded him and stayed by his side until his passing.

Garry always strived to live a meaningful life. He was brought into the world on December 15th, 1945. His parents, Leon and Tresa (Locker) Driessen were blessed after Garry was born at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Minot.

Garry grew up on the Driessen family homestead in rural McHenry County. He attended school in Balfour. Despite not graduating, Garry created a life of success through hard work and endless grit.

Garry entered a lifetime of blessings after he found his high school sweetheart Beverly. Two years later, on November 25th, 1967, Garry married the love of his life.

Together, Garry and Beverly were blessed to celebrate 58 years of marriage. Beverly was equally his soulmate and lifelong best friend.

Shortly after their wedding and in January of 1968, Garry was drafted into the Army for the Vietnam War. He was able to return home after one year of service due to a farming deferment.

Garry continued to farm and began to develop his own construction/gravel crushing company.

In 1979, Garry founded A & G construction. Beverly was his administrative assistant and assisted Garry in bidding various jobs. Together, they steadily grew his operation, while also creating their family that comprised three children, Blake, Annie and April.

Garry’s company could be found crushing gravel and building roads for counties across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

During the winter, Garry’s company would move snow for various counties and for the railroad. After nearly 40 years, Garry finally elected to retire from the construction business. Subsequently, Garry began working another joint adventure with Beverly from 2006-2017. Together, they managed Mapleton Apartments in Bismarck.

Those who knew Garry, would find a man of deep-rooted honesty. He was tender-hearted and had a witty sense of humor. It was important to Garry that his children were raised knowing that consistent hard work was the key to success.

He believed that honesty and kindness should always be at the core of your spirit. Garry loved his family and his friends. He loved to visit, have coffee and loved to talk on the phone. He would always say, “thanks for calling, take care!”

Equally, Garry loved to hunt. He was a lifelong gun collector and became an expert at shooting. He loved going to the range, and it became evident that he was talented with exceptional target precision.

Garry’s love for life, his family, friends and his hobbies are memories that will live forever in our hearts. He is deeply missed. Our love for him will continue throughout all the days of our lifetime. We love you so much, Dad, Papa, Boggle!

Garry is survived by his loving family including his wife and soulmate of 58 years, Beverly. Children Blake Driessen, family dog/Yorkie (Milo), of Bismarck. Annie Lemer, of Ames, Iowa. April (Chad) Warren of Minot. Sister Rita (Gary) Mehrer of Surrey. Grandchildren Ellie (Payton) Burris, Emily and Alaina Wilson, Brock, Brody, Elizabeth and Ezzabella Lemer and soon to arrive great grandson Cooper John Burris. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Garry is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Tresa Driessen, father-in-law Palmer Flatlie, and mother-in-law Agnes Flatlie, sister Kathy Officer, and nephew Dean Herr.

Published by The Minot Daily News June 26, 2025.