In Loving Memory of
Don C. Gackle
April 12, 1929 - July 1, 2012

Don was born April 12, 1929, in Kulm, ND to Otto and Alice (Higdem) Gackle. He graduated from the University of North Dakota and served two years with the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he was stationed in New Mexico in counter-intelligence during what he jokingly referred to as "The Battle of New Mexico."

After military service, he worked for the Greater North Dakota Association, the state Chamber of Commerce, as the public relations manager for nearly 10 years before purchasing the Farmers Independent in 1963. The Garrison newspaper was soon renamed the McLean County Independent. BHG Inc. was formed in 1972 using the first letter of the names of the three community newspapers that were the beginning of the corporation serving Beulah, Hazen and Garrison. Gackle was inducted into the North Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2000.

Gackle was active in the Garrison community and a strong supporter of all the BHG communities. Dollars for Scholars was one of his favorite charitable organizations. In addition, he left his mark on many community projects including tennis courts in Garrison, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, the Dakota Walleye Classic in Beulah and the Sakakawea medical Center in Hazen. In 1996, the Garrison community held a Don Gackle Appreciation Day and in 1997, he received the Garrison "Citizen of the Year" award.

Don entered semi-retirement a few years ago, but retained the title of chairman of the board and continued his column, "Here and There," and wrote an occasional story.

Don was married to the late Phyllis King from 1951-2000. He married Ardie Hamilton Huss in 2001.

Survivors inclue: Ardie, son, Mike (Jill), Garrison; daughter, Cindy (Randy) Helland, Lake Elmo, Minn.; grandchildren, Chantel (Greg) Kendall of Irvine, Calif., Paul of Palo Alto, Calif., Patrick and Daniel of Berkeley, Calif.; three great-grandchildren, Thea, Ava and Scarlet, children of Chantel and Greg; brother William(Bill), (Marilyn) and sister-in-law Berniece Gackle. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis, parents and brother Robert (Bob).

Memorials may be given to Camp of the Cross, Garrison Dollars for Scholars or the NDNA Education Foundation.