Albert L. Wetzel

Albert L. Wetzel, 89, New Rockford, formerly of Sheyenne, ND died on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, ND. He recently had been under the care of the Carrington Health Center Hospice Program. Mass of Christian Burial for Albert will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in New Rockford. Fr. Charles Leute O.P. and Fr. Bernard Pfau will concelebrate the Mass and burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Oberon in the spring. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and at St. John’s Catholic Church from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Casket Bearers for Albert will be his grandsons, Andrew Wetzel, Cole Wetzel, Todd Thompson, Troy Thompson, Brian Anderson, Kyle Wetzel, Pee Wee Wetzel, Hunter Wetzel and Gunner Wetzel. Honorary Bearers: Gene Wooley, Larry Barko, Duane Howard, Jim Hanson, Sigurd Olson, Lee Jensen, Roger Roberts, Lester Roberts, Ever Hanson, Tom Schmid, Howard Schmid Jr., and Donnie Belgarde Altar Servers will be Hunter Wetzel and Sierra Wetzel Music will be provided by Tony and Vina McDonald, Sarah Anderson and JoDee Lagein Gift Bearers will be Rose Howard and Tillie Olson Wallace Reading the Scriptures will be: Erin, Suzy and Shelby Wetzel. Albert was born January 5, 1919, on his family farm in Lallie Township, north of Oberon in Benson County. He was the son of Vincent and Maria (Sandorfer) Wetzel, who were immigrants from Germany. He attended school for 8 ½ years at Oberon Public School. He then began full-time farming at age 14 with his father. In his early years, they farmed using horses, threshing machines, and sharing farming operations with other neighboring farmers. He married his wife, Arlene Mae Paulson on May 20, 1942 at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten. Later on he and his wife, owned and operated the Dutchman’s Bar in Oberon. They later retired to a home in Sheyenne and most recently moved to a senior apartment in New Rockford. He moved into the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford for the past two months. They had celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary, with five generations of family and many longtime friends in May of 2007. Albert was a member of the Oberon School Board, Farmers Union Oil Company Board, Lallie Township Board, Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten and was very active in the Westbay Wildlife Club of Minnewaukan and the Sheyenne Wildlife Club. He enjoyed being out of doors, hunting, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and helping neighbors with all kinds of farming and ranching activities. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Five Sons: Daniel “Pete” (Pat) Wetzel, Oberon; Rodger (Cindy) Wetzel, Bismarck; Tom Wetzel, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tim Wetzel, Tacoma, Washington; Paul “Fritz” (Karen) Wetzel, New Rockford; daughter, Anita Anderson, Devils Lake. Twenty-two grandchildren Twenty-three great grandchildren One great-great grandchild Three Sisters: Pauline Borg, Devils Lake Rose Howard, Minnewaukan Tillie Olson Wallace, Oberon He was preceded in death by his parents, Vincent and Maria; grandson, Michael Anderson and one great granddaughter, Jennifer Hildebrant.