Jennifer Bercier/PCT Family members of the late Theodore “Ted” Mitzel, Betty Summers, Stephanie Brossart, Gerald Mitzel and Dorothy Hooker, and Living Center staff member Stacey Lunde came together with Del Olson, not shown, to make “Kuchen Bars” at the Living Center Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby Monday, Dec. 15.

Family members of the late Theodore “Ted” Mitzel came together at the Living Center Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby to celebrate Mitzel and make his “Kuchen Bar” recipe for the center’s residents and staff Monday, Dec. 15.

Mitzel’s sisters, Betty Summers and Dorothy Hooker; his niece, Stephanie Brossart; his cousin, Gerald Mitzel; and his longtime friend and neighbor, Del Olson gathered around the island counter to prepare the “Kuchen Bars.”

Hooker, Brossart and Mitzel made the dough while Summers, with the help of Brossart, mixed the filling for the bars. As Ted Mitzel’s family combined the ingredients, mixing everything together, Olson and other residents waited patiently to do their part in making the “Kuchen Bars.” Staff at the Living Center also shared their fond memories of Ted Mitzel when he lived at the center.

Hooker made sure everyone was doing their part in making the “Kuchen Bars” and adding the special ingredient “love” into every step. For Ted Mitzel’s funeral in August the family made 13 pans of “Kuchen Bars.”

After the “Kuchen Bars” were baked and cooling, Summers shared her fond memories, mentioning all the great times when the family came together. Everyone then enjoyed the “Kuchen Bars.”

Submitted Photo Ted Mitzel sits at his kitchen table preparing his “Kuchen Bars” recipe in Rugby in 2016.

Ted Mitzel took his time in making his “Kuchen Bars” recipe. He made everything by hand, kneading and rolling the dough, mixing the flavorful filling, then baking the crust and making sure it was baked to perfection.

Family members wanted to share the recipe, in fond memory and love of Mitzel, for Christmas and New Year’s.

Jennifer Bercier/PCT Del Olson, a longtime friend of the late Ted Mitzel, pokes holes in the dough for the “Kuchen Bars” while Mitzel’s sister, Betty Summers, mixes the filling in the kitchenette at the Living Center Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby Monday, Dec. 15.