Oscar Wetzel

Oscar Wetzel, 93, Bismarck, ND, passed away on February 2, 2020, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 8, at Faith Center Church of God of Prophecy, 2303 E Divide Ave, Bismarck, with the visitation to proceed at 10:00 a.m.  

Oscar was born on January 24, 1927 to Henry and Christina (Stauss) Wetzel and raised on a farm east of Glen Ullin.

He married Mildred (Wolf) on January 22, 1958.  They had four children Jeff, Deb (Barth), Rhonda (Emter) and Andrew.

Oscar worked for Northern Improvement for over 52 years. After retiring from Northern Improvement, he remained busy working for smaller construction companies into his early 80’s building many of the roads throughout housing developments in Bismarck.

He also farmed south of Glen Ullin with his brother Alvin.

He was a lifelong member of IUOE (International Union of Operating Engineers) Local 49.

Oscar was the happiest when he was busy working, running heavy equipment, or farming.

He was always the first on the job and the last to leave. If you weren’t 30 minutes early you were late. He was known to have worked a 25-hour day - he said he skipped lunch.

Farming was his other passion. Rows had to be straight, fields either filled with wheat or black as coal, and tractors cleaned after each use.

He loved his yard, just as much as his farm. The grass was always green, mowed, and weed free.  There was never a dandelion that was safe.  

He loved his pickup trucks. There were red ones and then white ones.  The more chrome the better. They were never dirty.  When the odometer read 10,000 miles it was time for a new one.

He loved to visit and was described by many as a “character”.  His best story telling seemed to happen in the garage. He didn’t always remember everyone’s name, but he would say, “You know, that yo-yo”.  He had many one-liners, which were classics to family, “turn off the lights”, “she’s a spender”, “you have to save”, “I have no money. I only have $100’s”, “If you drive, I’ll go”, and “how can they afford it?”

He loved his grandkids and great grandchildren; he had a special place for the little ones who would always end up in his lap.

He loved the casino.  Mostly when he won.  He would relive the story for weeks. If he lost, not a word was spoken.

Oscar’s favorite instrument was the accordion.  He would listen to polka music for hours and was known to play a little bit himself.

If you met Oscar once, you would never forget him. He was never bashful, not always appropriate, but straightforward whether you liked it or not.  He was tough as nails, but a softy deep down. If he liked you he’d give you the shirt off his back, but never his pickup.

He definitely was a character!

He is survived by his wife, Mildred; children Jeff (Kelly), Deb Barth (Jim), Rhonda Emter (Les), and Andrew (Sueann); siblings Peter, Eddie, and Irene Schnaidt; nine grandchildren,  Jessica (David) Meberg, Krystal (Dustin) Berger, Justin (Kelly) Wetzel, Parker and Paige Emter, Peyton, Abby, and Logan Wetzel, Daniel Barth and nine great-grandchildren David, Henry and Edith Meberg, Jack, Charlie and Tate Berger, and Jozie, Avary and Broderick Wetzel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Christina; siblings, Alvin, Rudolph, Marvin, Paul, Clarence, Hank, Florence Huber, and Bertha Klein; grandson Kody.

Special “Thank You” to the staff at Marian Manor Healthcare Center for the love and care they provided Oscar.

Lunch to follow downstairs after the service with burial to follow at Friendship Community Church Cemetery, Glen Ullin.