Hilbert Edward Gums was born on the family farm in Logan County, North Dakota to Emelia and Edward Gums on January 19th, 1946. He grew up on a small farm north of Napoleon, North Dakota, and learned to work hard for everything he had. "The Farm" where he was raised was a special place and he loved just being there. Bert's mother passed away when he was just two years old and his aunt Lillie Gums Wanner, raised him under a loving and strict German Lutheran upbringing. He always cherished her. Bert did not learn English until he started country school. He continued to speak German, using it wisely, especially at every family reunion. Bert loved sports from an early age. He treasured listening to the radio with his brother, Elmer, searching the airwaves for his favorite team. In high school he was introduced to wrestling, the sport he is well known for and honored in the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame. Bert graduated from Napoleon High School in 1964, earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Valley City State in 1968 and Master's Degree from USD in 1972. While at Valley City, he met the love of his life, LaVonna Swart. They married and had three children: Sherri, Jon and Melinda (Mindy). There was nothing more important to Bert than his family. He taught Science and coached wrestling in Garrison and Napoleon High Schools, and taking his teams to State. He was a well loved coach and teacher. After his teaching and coaching career, Bert worked for the North Dakota State Health Department. He retired in 2004 . Bert had a magnetic personality and loved to socialize. Every cousin, friend, and relative know him as loving, caring, witty, tough, extremely smart, and the life of the party. Students, athletes, coaches, and may friends lives were changed for the positive because he loved and cared about so many. Bert loved traveling with his wife. They traveled to Germany, Hawaii, and all over the United States. He also loved writing poetry, wrestling, the Twins, the Vikings, watching all his children and grandchildren play sports, listening to his kids sing, adventure, politics, old black and white movies, and as of late socializing on Facebook.
He is survived by his wife LaVonna Swart Gums, sister Bernice (Dronen) Carlson, sister Erma Roesler, daughter Sherri (Michael) Stokes, son Jon (Cindy) Gums, and daughter Mindy Alickson and Davin Liuska, grandchildren: Madison, Jaden, Grace, Lauden, Alonna, Jax, Dempsie, and great-granddaughter Elzay. He will be profoundly missed by many.