William Mitzel

William (Bill) Mitzel, 80, Kirkland, WA, passed away at his home in Kirkland, on September 21, 2014, with his wife at his side after 11 courageous years of battling Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. The Funeral Service will be Monday, 1:30 PM, at Vertin-Munson Funeral Chapel, Wahpeton, ND, with Rev. Mark Manning officiating. Visitation will be from noon until the time of service on Monday. Interment will be at Fairview Memorial Gardens, with military rites by the North Dakota Military Honor Guard. Arrangements have been entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Bill was born in Wahpeton, ND, July 30, 1934, to William F. and Alma (Gutzmer) Mitzel. He attended grade school in Dwight, ND and Wahpeton High School. He worked for Soltis Sheet Metal Co. and in 1955 he was drafted into the US Army and served his country for two years. Upon receiving an honorable discharge in 1957 at Fort Lewis, WA, he was offered a job at Bel-Kirk heating in Kirkland, WA. He was joined in marriage to Patricia (Pat) Strom on November 6, 1957. Bill was superintendent for 26 years until Bel-Kirk Heating closed. He worked at McDonald-Miller Co, in Seattle, WA, staying with McDonald-Miller until he retired in 1989. After his retirement he spent 25 great years hunting and fishing with his nephew, Allen Mitzel, and also enjoying all his many friends.

Bill loved working on lawn mowers, chain saws and John Deere garden tractors. He made many friends at his two jobs and in his neighborhood. He did small engine repair for Northwest University in Kirkland after retiring and grew to love everyone he was associated with there. He was known as "Uncle Bill" to all the neighbors and their children. He always enjoyed his annual visit to North Dakota in the fall so he could check out the crops and the harvest.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia (Pat) Mitzel, Kirkland, WA; his mother-in-law, Hebe Strom, sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mitzel and Agatha Mitzel, Pat Mitzel (Ike's wife) and Marlene Gast; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Donald and Ann Strom, Don and Mary Lou Roecker, Richard and Nancy Strom, Bruce Strom, Kim & Donna Kerry, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and his special friends: Harold Thompson, Ivan Atkins, Dennis Welch, D.D.S. and Juris Mindenberg.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Marvin, Ivan, Floyd "Ike" and Lyle, one sister: Leona (Sis) Snider, his father-in-law; Gordon K. Strom and a brother-in-law, Darrell Gast.