Garry Van Sweringen, the son of George and Irene (Sevareid) Van Sweringen was born on November 5, 1940 in Rugby, North Dakota.  He died at the age of 77 years on Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Sheyenne Care Center in Valley City, North Dakota.

Garry was raised in the home of his parents in Rugby and graduated from Rugby High School in 1958.  On April 26, 1962 he married Janice Block.  This marriage was blessed with two children, David and Christy.  The marriage later ended.  Garry managed the Texaco station, owned and operated Van’s Garage, Van’s Trucking (bulk milk) and Van’s Towing.  He worked as a mechanic and specialized in repairing heavy trucks.  He had the reputation of “the best mechanic around”.  Garry is a lifetime member of the Rugby Fire Department.  He also served several years on Rugby’s city council and had a love of Coca-Cola and Boston Terriers. 

Garry is survived by his son, David ‘Dave’ (Amy) of Minot; daughter, Christy ‘Chris’ (Shannon) Seidler of Garrison; sister, Gayle ‘Mitzi’ (Maynard) Iverson of Sun Lakes, AZ; grandchildren, Alicia, Cole and Brooke; other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 13^th at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with spring burial in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.  Pastor Mike Pretzer, officiating.