Elizabeth Mitzel
Elizabeth (Welk) Mitzel, the daughter of Balthazar “Balzer” and Margaret (Baumgartner) Welk, was born in the rural Orrin, North Dakota home of her parents on November 19, 1918.She died at the age of 91 years on Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at the Heart of America Long Term Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota.
Elizabeth was raised in the rural Orrin home of her parents and received her education in a country school near her home.On May 17, 1937, she was united in marriage to Fred Mitzel at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Orrin and, to this union, they were blessed with six children.Elizabeth and Fred raised their family, farmed and ranched in Sandale Township, Pierce County until the fall of 2004, when they moved to Rugby.She was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby and a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Orrin and the Confraternity of Christian Mothers.The couple moved to the Heart of America Care Center in the fall of 2007.Fred, Sr., died November 13, 2008.
A loving wife, mother, grandmother, homemaker and a gracious hostess, Elizabeth enjoyed the company of family and friends, dancing, cards, cooking, baking, flower and vegetable gardening, playing ball with the grandchildren and was an avid reader.Elizabeth provided her family a true example of what it is to place your heart and soul in God and trust in his goodness and the goodness of mankind.She lived her faith in a silent, but strong way.
Those who were privileged to share in her life and will mourn her loss are two sons, Ted (Christine) of Rugby and Fred, Jr., (Rita) of Balta; three daughters, Betty (Jim) Summers of Estancia, NM, Mary Jane (Melvin) Schmaltz of Devils Lake and Dorothy (Chuck) Hooker of Rugby; two grandsons raised by Fred & Elizabeth following their mother’s death, Fred (Melissa) Schumacker of Bismarck and Bob (Tami) Schumacker of Devils Lake; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters, Antonia Gutenkauf of South Dakota, Mary Mitzel of Fargo, Emily Brossart of Rugby and Pauline (Mike) Mitzel of Towner; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.She was preceded in death by her husband; 1 daughter, Marlene Schumacker; 3 brothers, August, Tony and Mike Welk; 4 sisters, Barbara Koble, Frances Weigel, Margaret Scheet and Katherine Thomas; and her parents.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday, April 12, 2010, at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.Burial was in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Orrin.Father Tom Graner was the Celebrant. Organist was Angie Deplazes. Vocalist/Cantor was Jacinta Schmaltz. Soloist was Julie Mosher. Special Music was provided by the 6th Grade Class of Little Flower School.
Casketbearers were Maria Boren, Melissa Ripplinger, Bob Schumacker, Fred Schumacker, Allen Schmaltz, Jon Summers, Brad Mitzel, Chris Mitzel, Jesse Mitzel and Eric Hooker.
Honorary Bearers were all godchildren, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.
Paid obituary