Arthur Mitzel

Arthur “Art” Edwin Mitzel, 72, loving husband, father and grandfather passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2020 at Sanford Health in Fargo with family by his side.

Arthur was born November 3, 1947 in Breckenridge, MN to Robert R Mitzel and Augusta (Berndt) Mitzel. He grew up on the family farm near Great Bend, ND. He graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1965, ND State College of Science in 1967 and received his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Dakota in 1969. Later he attended summer sessions and obtained a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from NDSU in 1975. He taught in North Dakota High Schools in Marion, Gwinner and Medina where he later became High School Principal and eventually Superintendent.

On June 5, 1971 he married Roxanne Waldie at Grace United Methodist Church in Marion, ND. She was his one true love and best friend. They raised 4 children, Jennifer, Casey, Heather and Amber.

In 1978 he became Superintendent at Page, ND later also sharing duties as Superintendent at Hope, ND until his retirement in 2007 when they moved to Jamestown, ND. After being in education for 38 years, he enjoyed telling his grandchildren how many years he had to go to school. Art held various offices during his tenure as a Superintendent and received several awards for meritorious service. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and Chairman of SCARTA (Stutsman County Area Retired Teachers Association).

Art enjoyed sports and played softball for many years. He liked to play cards and his game of choice was cribbage. He was an avid gardener who loved to experiment with different varieties. He appreciated collectible cars and antiques in general. Playing piano, including Honky Tonk and the Beatles was one of his special talents. He also enjoyed the Fighting Sioux, helping on the family farm with his dad, reading every newspaper from every county, his morning coffee group and playing pinochle with his buddies on Tuesday nights. He was known for his witty sense of humor as evident by Art and Roxie’s Christmas cards as well as his endless supply of jokes (favorite Chuck Norris) and one-liners.

Family was always very important to Art. He was a wonderful provider and loved when all his family was home enjoying a big meal together. He took interest and attended as many of his grandchildren’s activities as he could.

Those who are grateful in sharing in his life and will deeply miss him are his wife, Roxanne, just 1 month shy of 49 years of marriage; children, Jennifer (Kevin) Sortland, Jamestown, ND; Casey (Candy) Mitzel, Tigard, OR; Heather Mitzel and Amber Sorum, Oakes, ND. Eight grandchildren, Haley, Brady and Adam Sortland, Kynzey and Konner Mitzel, Grace Mitzel, Jackson and Weston Sorum. A brother, Robert C (Marge) Mitzel, Virginia Beach, VA; a sister, Bernice (Bruce) Fuder, Breckenridge, MN; brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Rita Greer, Marion, ND; brother-in-law Spencer Brandt, Dickey, ND and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Art was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Augusta Mitzel; his father and mother-in-law, Richard and Ramona Waldie; brother, Oliver Mitzel; sister-in-law, Patricia Brandt; son-in-law, Brian Sorum; nieces, Susan Snyder and Monica Brandt.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday, May 4, 2020 at Williams Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND. A private family service will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday at Williams Funeral Home. Interment for the family will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens. Please respect the social distancing guidelines during visitation.

The family prefers if any flowers are to be given, please wait until the Celebration of Life service at a later date.

Williams Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

To send a flower arrangement to the family of Arthur Mitzel , please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.