A member of the Republican Party, Gaetz served in the North Dakota Senate in 1964 and was mayor of the town of Rugby from 1958 until 1962.

Gaetz died on April 9, 1964, after giving a speech in support of Barry Goldwater at the state party convention.

[2] Following the war, Gaetz returned to Great Northern, where he served as a district roadmaster for the town of Rugby.

His plan called for the construction of a $20,000 museum, as well as a trailer park, exhibition building, garden, and zoo.

[14] That year, Gaetz ran for lieutenant governor, challenging incumbent Frank A. Wenstrom in the Republican primary.

Gaetz, who had been the chairman of North Dakotans for Goldwater, gave a speech urging the convention to endorse U.S.

[7] Following the speech, Gaetz walked into the crowd to shake hands, whereupon he suffered a heart attack and collapsed.