Virgil Greer

It is with great sadness that the family of Virgil Greer, age 71, lovingly known by his family as “Papa”, announces his passing away on Nov. 14, 2017 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, AZ due to complications from a large brain tumor.

Virgil was the son of Glen & Imogene Greer and he grew up on the family farm near Cleveland, ND. He graduated from Cleveland High School and farmed with his dad until he graduated from the State School of Science, Wahpeton, ND. During this time he met the love of his life, Linda (Perleberg), and they were married on November 26, 1965 and had three beautiful children. He worked various jobs which included Curtis Electric for which he became a Master Electrician. Although he was a great electrician, his one true love was farming and working with large equipment and was able to live that dream by working for David Glinz Farms for many years. Later, he ventured out on his own and started his own business, Greer & Son’s Excavating, Inc. until retiring in 2013.

Virgil & Linda, have been spending the last few winters being “Snowbirds” at their winter residence in Apache Junction, AZ. Just last year they sold the family home and moved from Jamestown, ND where they lived most of their life together, to Lincoln, ND (outside of Bismarck).

He loved spending time in his shop working on equipment and inventing things. He enjoyed reading, dancing and truly loved visiting with people. His great sense of humor and personality were infectious and you couldn’t help but fall in love with him. He had a way of making people he just met feel like they’ve known him for years. He was a gentle giant and loved spending time with his grandchildren, family, and friends.

Virgil will be sadly missed by his wife of 52 years, Linda, sons Stuart (Kathy) Jamestown, ND, Shawn (Jodie) Sioux Falls, SD, daughter, Lori (Dan) Reis, Bismarck, ND; seven grandchildren: Travis Greer, Alexis & Haley Greer, Macyn Douget, and Kolton, Rylee, & Brody Reis. Three step-grandchildren: Ryan, Nick (Brandi) Bear, and Patti (Jason) Rogalla, Bismarck, ND and seven step-great grandchildren; his mother, Imogene (Cleveland); Mother-in-law, Alice Perleberg (Jamestown), Brothers: Gordon (Rosie) Cleveland, ND; Merle (Linda), Youngsville, NC; his special aunts Carol (John) Babcock, Scottsdale, AZ, Janis Wright, Denver, CO, and Kae Herring, Bismarck, ND.

He was preceded in death by his Father, Glen Greer; Father-in-law, Art Perleberg, Sr.; Grandson, Austin Greer; Brother-in-laws: Jerome & Ronald Perleberg; Special Uncle, Jerry Wright. D.

A Celebration of Virgil’s life will be held at 7:00pm, on Tuesday, November 21, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 424 1st Ave. South, Jamestown, ND, with Pastor Kevin Nelson (Peace Lutheran Church, Lincoln, ND) officiating. Viewing and family visitation will be three hours prior from 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Arrangements are in the care of Williams Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND.

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