Gary Lee Satern

Gary Satern, Bismarck, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, June 9 in Minneapolis, MN, where he and his wife had moved in 2023 to be closer to their two children.

Gary was born in Spiritwood, ND to Oscar and Rose Satern. He lived in Spiritwood and Rugby before the family moved to Jamestown, ND. In Jamestown, he met the woman he would marry - Patricia Milek. They married in 1962 and had two children - Pamala (Mike Marthaller) and Paula Satern; both reside in Minneapolis. Gary worked in Insurance for Provident Life, winning sales award trips to Sun Valley and Martha's Vineyard. After leaving the insurance industry, he spent the majority of his career in economic development in communities across North Dakota. He received the Governors Choice for Professional Developer of the Year award in 2002.

He was instrumental in projects including the restoration of the courthouse in Medora, the northern lights tower and a state-of-the-art prison and treatment facility in Rugby and was the creative force behind "history hall" - a display in the Bismarck Civic Center which highlights significant people in North Dakota's history. He was very proud of the work he did with Lawrence Welk's family - both leading the restoration of the Welk homestead in Strasburg and overseeing the decor of the Lawrence Welk Champagne theater in Branson, Missouri.

Gary was very knowledgeable about antiques and loved to buy, sell and collect. He enjoyed animals, music (seeing concerts by Bob Dylan in the 1960's to Paul Simon in 2025), and taking his granddaughter to see Joan Baez), cars and motorcycles and had many friends across Bismarck. You could count on him for a witty retort as well!

He is preceded in death by his brothers, Sidney Satern and Roy Swift, and parents, Oscar and Rose Satern. He leaves behind his wife, Patricia, children and grandchild, Ava Marthaller, St. Louis, MO.

His family will have a private remembrance.