Ned J. Mitzel

Ned J. Mitzel, 85 of Devils Lake formerly of Rugby, Minnewaukan and Maddock, ND passed away on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Center in Larimore, ND.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, June 5, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with the Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church beginning at 8:30 a.m. with a Rosary recited at 9:30 a.m.  Burial and Military Honors will be accorded by the Neathery-Simensen Post #756, Devils Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Ned John Mitzel was born October 27, 1937, at Devils Lake ND to Frank and Helen (Schneider) Mitzel. Ned was the youngest of six children. He received his education at Devils Lake, graduating from Devils Lake Central High School in 1956.

Ned entered the United States Army in 1963, and proudly served two years as a Military Policeman in Germany. After his honorable discharge from active duty on March 25, 1965. Ned returned to Devils Lake and attended and graduated from Lake Region State College.  He also attended Valley City State College and attended criminal justice classes through the Law Enforcement Education Assistance Program. In 1984, Ned was selected to attend the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia. Ned believed in continuing education. He had 3 years of college and over 2000 hours of law enforcement training, Including the FBI Academy and the Drug Enforcement School. In 1995, Ned was named the North Dakota Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, sponsored by 40 & 8.

Ned was at one time married to Donna Nelson and they were the parents of Ann and Paul.

Ned first employment in Law Enforcement was in the city of Rugby as a police officer and served there for 13 years. Eleven of those years as the Chief of Police. In 1979, Ned was appointed Sheriff of Benson County.  He served as the Benson County Sheriff for 27 years, retiring at the end of 2006. He was a dedicated, honest, hard-working member of Law Enforcement for 40 years.

On July 25, 1981, Ned was united in marriage to Karen Smith. They made their home in Minnewauken, Maddock and for the past several years Devils Lake.

Ned was a member of the North Dakota Peace officers Association, past president of the North Dakota Sheriff’s’ and Deputies’ Association, and the Lake Region Police Officers. Ned also enjoyed membership in the Elks, VFW, American Legon and the 40 & 8.

Ned was a member of St. James Catholic Church in Minnewaukan until it closed and for 6 years served on the parish council.

After retirement, Ned never missed his grandchildren’s sporting events, school activities and their celebrations. He enjoyed connecting with old friends and making new friends in any community he lived in. Ned also had great tenacity as a Twins and Vikings fan through all the ups and downs. He never gave up.

Those who survive Ned at his End of Watch Call: his precious wife Karen; children Sarah (Brandon) Exner, Devils Lake, Ann Wilkens, Madison WI, Paul Wilkens, Pine City MN, Ryan Genre, Garrison ND and Susan Eback, Rugby ND; grandchildren Bryar, Landry and Myles Exner, Hunter and Fisher Genre, Samantha, Justin and Kristen Eback; great grandson Hunter Larson and many nieces, nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack Mitzel, Fred Mitzel and Frank Mitzel Jr., sisters Pauline Fadz and Kay Russ.