Bergeth "Buz/Buster" LaRoy Bymers

Bergeth (Buz/Buster) LaRoy Bymers, age 90, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake surrounded by the love and care of his nieces Sheryl and Jessica. His was a life full of joy and service, and he met his Lord with arms wide open. Funeral Services will be Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Devils Lake with Pastor Lori Broschat officiating. Interment will be in the Crary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Born February 29, 1924 to William and Alice (Johnson) Bymers in Fort Ransom, ND, this “leap year baby”, was the middle of 16 children, but always the youngest, joking up to the end about how “full his life was for such a young man of 22”. And such a full life he had…He attended Crary Public Schools, graduating in 1942, and all while working the farms for his brothers-in-law, Paul Atherton and Bill Frith to help support his family and save for his dream of college. He lived that dream by attending the Minot State Teachers’ College, graduating with a BS in Math Education in 1947. He worked in the college cafeteria and as a hotel desk clerk during that time, because the jobs allowed him to study and helped pay tuition. With his new credentials in hand, he began his teaching career at Flaxton, ND, then later near Anamoose. It was during this time, while moonlighting as a hotel bookkeeper, that Buster met the beautiful young student from the Deaf School who was working as a baker in the same hotel, Otillia Dockter. They married May 1, 1953, a romance that lasted 47 years. They had three children, Donald, who died shortly after birth, Betty, born in 1955, and Roy, born in 1957. The family moved to Sacramento, CA where Mr. Bymers was a respected Math teacher at the Will Rogers Middle School for over 20 years. During that time, he was a devoted scout leader for the Boy Scouts and, along with son Roy, attended numerous Jamborees in the US and Canada. Upon retirement in 1979, Bus and Tillie started missionary work at Paxtax Natura in Clyde, Alberta, Canada, working with mentally challenged deaf children for over 2 years. When returning to quiet retirement in California, they worked tirelessly with the Deaf Church in Sacramento and outreach for senior shut-ins. It was at this time he became a volunteer with Senior Gleaners, providing food and assistance for low-income seniors, not to mention good conversation, moral support, and the occasional off-color joke. When his beloved Tillie died in 2000, Bus moved “home” to North Dakota, setting up a little house and workshop in the country near his sister, Alice Atherton. His love for North Dakota was a driving force for him. He even got the license plate for his pickup that said ND2STAY. He became active in the First United Methodist Church, where he met his second wife-to-be, Esther Carter. They married June 30, 2007 and settled on the farm, enjoying gardening, woodworking, and watching over Sheryl and Roy’s horses in the summer. They also loved to dance and never missed “Big Joe’s Polka Party” on RFD every Sunday night, dancing the night away right in their own living room! They spent seven loving years together until Esther’s death March 10, 2014. Bus was the most giving and loving man. He was a man of strong faith and loved his Church. He was a 45 year member of Sons of Norway and member of the 20-gallon Club for his generous blood donations. He tirelessly cared for both wives and loved them both dearly. He was a proud father and dearly loved his children, Betty Steele, Fresno, CA and Roy Bymers, Reno, NV who was not only his son, but also best friend, and step children, Charles Feldt, James (fiancé Elaine Pavek) Feldt, Sandra Terry, Teresa Waite, Brenda (Ken) Kantorowizc, Cindy (Bob) Gordon, and Daniel Skinner. His pride and joy were his 4 precious grandchildren, Danielle, Kara, Cassandra, and Jermaine. He is also survived by five great grandchildren, his sisters, Viola Hardy, Newark, CA, Arliss (Richard) Allums, Antioch, CA, Corrine Carroll, Yuma, AZ, brother-in-law, Elwood Jensen, Brentwood, CA and sisters-in-law, Ruth Ammon of Anamoose, ND, Donna Hagen and Barbara (Palmer) Walden all of Devils Lake and numerous nieces and nephews, including his dear Sheryl James who called him “Uncle Dad” and great-niece, Jessica Schepp, his “Gold” as he referred to her when she became his caretaker when he moved into Angel Heights. He is also survived by his beloved poodle companion, Scotty. He was preceded in death by his parents, both wives, son, Donald and twelve brothers and sisters. Friends may sign the online register book and share memories of Bus at www.gilbertsonfuneralhome.com