Ewald "Ed" Wetzel

Ewald “Ed” Wetzel, 85, Fargo, formerly of Bismarck, passed away on July 10, 2017, at Villa Maria Care Center in Fargo. Services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, July 14, at Evangel Assembly of God Church, 3225 N 14th St., Bismarck, with Rev. Arland Dwelle officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Ed was born November 20, 1931, in Glen Ullin, ND, the son of Edward and Lydia (Miller) Wetzel. He grew up on a ranch east of Glen Ullin. Ed married Luella Mindt on September 26, 1953, and their marriage was blessed with the birth of their only child, Vicky. In 1955, they moved to Mandan and for the next 28 years he worked in men’s retail for J.C. Penny’s, Greengard’s, and A.W. Lucas Co. He also farmed in the McKenzie and Sterling, ND, area until his retirement. In 1984, he was awarded the “Wildlife Habitat Award” for Burleigh County Soil Conservation District. In 1998, he was awarded the North Dakota Trees Award for Wildlife Landowners. He loved hunting and created a wildlife sanctuary on his land that brought him much pleasure.   He loved wildlife. After his retirement he volunteered his time to his church driving the van for seniors on Sunday mornings and maintaining the church’s van fleet. He also enjoyed helping with the Christmas treat bags for children after the Christmas program. He and Luella enjoyed spending winters at Fort Myers Beach, FL. He loved getting together with friends to play dominoes and have cookies and coffee, but the biggest smile on his face came when he had visits with his granddaughter, Lindsey. In September of 2014, he and Luella relocated to Touchmark in Fargo. In March of 2016, he moved to Villa Maria where he resided until his death. Though he was perhaps as wise as anyone we will ever know, his wisdom was proven best by what he didn’t say. He did not speak words he would later regret. A man of humbleness, and a gentle and kind spirit, that truly won the hearts of all who knew him. Even in the last chapter of his life he was known to be a kind, sweet, soft-spoken gentleman to all at Villa Maria. Ed will be missed more than words can express. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Luella; his daughter, Vicky (Dennis) Wang, both of Fargo; and his granddaughter, Lindsey (John) Winkle, Colorado Springs, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wilbert; and his sister, Frances Schlatter.