Gary Torske

Bismarck

Gary John Torske, son of John and Gertrude Torske, husband of Phyllis and father of Chanda, Olise and Brian, died at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, ND on April 20, 2025, following a brief illness at the age of 78.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM at Church of the Ascension, Bismarck, ND. A burial will be held immediately following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bismarck, ND, with lunch to follow. 

Public visitation will be held Friday from 6-7:00 PM at the Bismarck Funeral Home with a Rosary/Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.

Gary was the sole child born on December 11, 1946, to John and Gertrude (Temanson) Torske in Bismarck, ND.  He was raised in Underwood, ND.  He spent summers working for his father’s construction company, swinging hammers and hand mixing many wheelbarrows full of cement. Gary met his high school sweetheart, Phyllis, in Underwood and were joined in marriage on December 27, 1967.  In their life, they were blessed with two biological daughters before welcoming their adopted baby boy into the family.

After graduating from Underwood High School, he went on to graduate from Minot State University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in secondary music education. His first job in 1968 was teaching music in New Town, ND until 1974. His pride and joy was his marching band. They were very successful and won many awards. He was especially proud to tell the stories of his marching band beating college bands in competition. It was always a sight to run into past students and see the excitement in their eyes all those years later. He constantly talked about their talent, dedication and endless work ethic. It was a perfect relationship between a demanding teacher and a receptive student. Many will remember him as being all wound up and having a quick temper when he was younger. But as all things do, that eventually faded. It’s the side effect of striving for perfection.

Gary and Phyllis briefly moved to Hebron in 1974, eventually landing in Rhame that same year to teach music for one year. He decided to change career paths and in 1975, Gary started as a maintenance operator with Amerada Hess Corporation in Tioga, ND. He worked his way up the ranks with Hess, spending 13 years as a production foreman in Tioga before becoming a safety specialist for 18 years out of the Williston office until retiring in 2012. He loved the oilfield, his coworkers and his work. After retirement, they made Bismarck their home to be closer to family. In 2021, he lost the love of his life, as Phyllis entered the gates of heaven.

Gary loved his three grand kids and was an awesome Grandpa. If you ever wanted to see him smile, just let one of them walk in the room. He loved to hunt and fish. He loved muscle cars and classic rock. He loved his dogs. He loved his rosebushes.

He played in numerous bands over the years, but Silver Creek was the longest and most known. He entertained crowds of people and made lifelong friends. Later in life, he enjoyed the pistol and rifle range with his buddy, John. After retirement, he was active in Ascension Catholic Church singing and playing guitar in the band. He felt great pride using his talents to give back to the church. His Catholic faith was his rock.

Overcoming his alcoholism was likely his greatest accomplishment, maintaining 43 years of sobriety, one day at a time. Daily reflection. Daily prayer. We know it’s why the most weathered roughnecks in the oilfield gravitated towards him. He showed no judgement. He had been there.

He taught. He listened to life with a tuned ear. Whether it was hammering down on a guitar cord or a muscle car’s accelerator, it was all about the subtleties. The precision. The timing. Working out dissonance to attain symphony. Only some understand the perfection and macrocosm of sound. He resonated in it.

He passed away early on Easter morning. He was ready. He missed Mom. Brian’s family didn’t see his last breaths but on a rushed, eerily quiet car ride, three songs played in succession on Classic Vinyl. Blind Faith’s Presence of the Lord, Queen’s Somebody to Love and Cat Steven’s Peace Train, ending perfectly in the parking lot. It was amazing. He already knew they were not going to make it. He was giving his last lesson, slow down and listen to the music.

He is survived by his two daughters, Chanda Torske and Olise Torske, both of Bismarck, and son Brian (Kathy) of Bismarck; three grandchildren, Jarin, Esley, and Afton of Bismarck; two brothers-in-law, Tracy (Myrt) Scott of Bismarck, Chuck (Claudette) Scott of Underwood; one sister-in-law, Jackie (Jay) Snyder of Underwood; and several nieces and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis, his parents, John and Gertrude Torske, and his parents-in-law, Don and Florence Scott.

Memorial donations may be directed to Catholic Church of the Ascension, 1905 S. 3rd Street, Bismarck, ND 58504.

A livestream of the service will be posted to his obituary where you can sign the online guestbook and share memories with his family at www.bismarckfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 23, 2025.