Rachel Wurtz

Rachel Wurtz, 68, of Bismarck, passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, at home with family while on hospice after battling a long illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Bismarck Funeral Home. Visitation will be the hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck.

Rachel Noreen Gjesdal was born on April 7, 1957, to Richard and Antonia “Toni” (Baumgartner) Gjesdal in Williston.

Rachel grew up in Grenora. During the summer she and her siblings would help her parents custom harvest going south as far as Kansas and back north again.

On April 15, 1978, in Stanley, Rachel was united in marriage to Jerry Wurtz of Plaza. They made their home in Plaza where Jerry farmed and Rachel helped with the farming and raising of their children.

Rachel graduated from Minot State University and worked at the local cafe in Plaza, the nursing home in Parshall, and as a bookkeeper for the convenience store on Highway 23.

In 2009 they moved to Bismarck to be closer to their children and grandchildren. During the summer months they resided in Bismarck and spent winters at their home in Mesa, AZ.

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was the most important thing to her. She enjoyed traveling and taking trips with her family when she could. She was generous in love and support to those close to her. Her grandchildren were her absolute pride and joy. Spending time with them making memories was what filled her heart most. She enjoyed attending the numerous sporting events, music concerts, plays, and school events that her grandchildren were in. She was very proud of each and every one of them. Our hearts are broken and nothing will fill the void of her absence. We love you mom!

She is survived by her husband Jerry and their three children, Heather (Russ) Keller, Bismarck; Gary (Jess) Wurtz, Bismarck; Christopher (Amanda) Wurtz, West Fargo; 9 grandchildren, Avery Wurtz, Noah Keller, Breckyn Wurtz, Elise Keller, Greta Keller, Gabriel Wurtz, Camryn Wurtz, Abigail Wurtz, and Demry Wurtz; two sisters, Renae Kennedy, Loveland, CO and Debora Schieffer, Sidney, MT and four brothers, Brian Gjesdal, Oak Harbor, WA, Barry Gjesdal, Havre, MT, James Gjesdal, Grenora, and Wayne Gjesdal, Bismarck, several sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Anita Gjesdal; parents, Richard and Toni Gjesdal, In-laws Richard Wurtz, Sr. and Dorothy Wurtz.