Gordon W. Schimke, 93, Bismarck, formerly of Fessenden, North Dakota, passed away Friday, December 16, 2022 at Bismarck.  A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., at First Lutheran Church in Fessenden, North Dakota.  Pastor Shirley Teske will officiate with burial at Hillside Cemetery, Fessenden, North Dakota.  The service will be livestreamed on the First Lutheran Facebook Page.  Arrangements by Nelson Funeral Home, Fessenden, North Dakota.

Gordon Schimke was born November 29, 1929, the son of William and Lydia (Koenig) Schimke.  He attended school at Fessenden.  In 1950, he entered the United States Navy and served his country during the Korean War and was received an Honorable Discharge in 1954.  He went into partnership and started NRF gas transport trucking.  He drove truck until selling his shares to his partner Dale Kost.

On April 6, 1957, Gordon married Betty Larson.  He was employed by the Fessenden Post Office as a clerk.  As postal hours were reduced, he then got involved in several other business opportunities until he was appointed Postmaster at Underwood, ND in 1978.  They lived there until 1987 when he retired from the postal service.  In 1990 they moved back to Fessenden and drove gas transport when they needed extra drivers until he decided to completely retire.

He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and in his younger years, golfing and bowling.  He held membership with Frank Proisl American Legion Post 33 and First Lutheran Church of Fessenden.  In 2012, they moved to Bismarck to be close to family.

He is survive by his wife Betty, daughter, Jodi Erfle, son-in-law, Kevin Vetter, grandchildren, Brandon (Robyn) Vetter, Shanna (Tom) Ellingboe, Nicholas (Shelby) Vetter, and Austin Erfle, great-grandchildren, Andrew and Allison Vetter, and Dax Ryan Ellingboe, sisters, LaVern Breckel and Lillian Gedrose, several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his children, David, Karla, and Tammy Vetter, parents, brother Allen, and sister Ellorine Goebel.