Irvin Weitzel

irvin weitzel
Irvin C. Weitzel, 93, North Dakota Veterans Home, Lisbon, ND, formerly of Fargo, ND, died Monday, August 10, 2015 at the Veterans Home, under the loving care of the staff and CHI Hospice. Irvin Charles Weitzel was born February 18, 1922 in Fargo, ND to Carl and Alice (Bordson) Weitzel. He attended school at Horace Mann Elementary, Roosevelt Middle School and graduated from Central High in 1941. He attended NDSU (AC-Agriculture College back then) and learned the welding trade. He worked at Fargo Tank Company, and then at Duluth, MN, welding in the shipyards. From there, Irvin worked for E.W. Elliot Oil Company, laying and welding pipeline from Whitehorse, Yukon to the Arctic Circle. Returning to Fargo, he worked for N.W. Airlines in equipment service, before being drafted in the Army Air Force in 1945. He did his basic training at Sheppard Field, TX, and was stationed at Lowry Field, Denver, CO, before being honorably discharged in 1946, ranking as Corporal. Upon returning from the service, Irvin worked for the Veterans Administration in the Records Department. On April 28, 1949, he married Marlys Jurgenson. They were married for 54 years. Irvin and Marlys had three children, Linda, Jeffrey and Bruce. Irvin and Marlys spent many winters out west visiting their good friends, the Doyles. Marlys passed away March of 2004. Irvin worked full time at Service Chevrolet as an auto mechanic, and part time bartending at the Empire Tavern in downtown Fargo, before beginning his career in the house painting business. He started out working for Backer Decorating, and then started his own painting business, Weitzel Decorating, which he ran for many years in Fargo, along with his son Bruce, and Ray Pritchett. Irvin was a long time member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, American Legion, Eagles Club, and the VFW. Irvin was an avid deer, goose and duck hunter. He hunted mule deer in the ND Badlands for 40 years. In his early hunting years, he hunted all winter for fox, coyote, bobcat, and jackrabbits. He also was an avid fisherman, making many trips to Canada, Devils Lake, Lake Sakakawea, and Minnesota, along with ice fishing in the winter. He was an outdoorsman, and especially loved the Sandhills area. Irvin also had a passion for vegetable gardening, especially tomatoes. He enjoyed sharing his produce with friends, family, and neighbors! Dancing, playing cards, and making people laugh, and feel good about themselves, was a favorite pastime for him. His remarkable goofy, slap-stick sense of humor touched many lives. Neighborhood children would come to the door and ask if “Scurvie Irvie” could come out and play! He had a very kind, giving heart, and he will be dearly missed. Irvin is survived by his daughter, Linda Graf, West Fargo; son, Jeffrey (Sharon) Weitzel, Fargo; grandchildren, Nathan Graf, Fargo; Courtney (Matt) Sletten, Minneapolis, MN; Jason Weitzel, California; Adam Weitzel, Fargo; great-grandchildren, Chloe Sletten, Minneapolis, MN; Chase, Paige and Alyssa Berger, Glen Ullin, ND; sisters-in-law, Susie Weitzel, Fargo; Lila (Gregg) Ericksen, Detroit Lakes, MN; brother-in-law, Douglas Jurgenson, Milwaukee, WI; and several nieces and nephews; and close, personal friend, Raymond Pritchett, Las Vegas, NV. Preceding him in death are his parents, Carl and Alice; his wife, Marlys; son, Bruce; brothers, M­­­aurice Hannum and Wyan Weitzel; sisters-in-law, Kay Hannum and Joan Jurgenson. God bless his memory. Memorials preferred to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Fargo or North Dakota Veterans Home, Lisbon.  

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  1. My deepest sympathy…your dad was a very special man. Enjoyed spending my younger years at your parents house. I was welcomed each time with open arms. Still to this day I have never planted or picked a tomato from my garden without a thought of your dad!
    Hugs and prayers,
    Geri

  2. Weitzel Family

    My wife and I send our deepest condolences and love. Irwin will be missed. I remember the good times i had with him and his wife. They were the best and kindest people i have ever met. I remember they had friends in Reno area where i still live. Tk cr and God Bless everyone.

  3. Linda, Jeff and family,
    Our deepest sympathies to all of you with the passing of your father. May the wonderful memories you have of your Dad help ease the ache in your heart.
    Peace and prayers to all of you.

  4. Irvin was a very kind and gentle person. He liked to joke around and always had kind words to say about the person he was visiting with. Irvin was very talented and inventive. He will be missed.

  5. Dear Linda, Jeff and families,
    I first met your dear dad about 1955 or earlier, he was my mentor especially in my growing up years.
    I was ALWAYS so welcome at his home, I would ride my bike over and play pool downstairs or just sit and visit and learn from him.
    I very much enjoyed the many, many hunts, fishing trips and sometimes just road trips with your Dad, also many memories of roasting ducks for your folks at my house.
    Irvy was ALWAYS! there for everyone including my parents and wife Tiny and me, probably the most generous man I have ever met.
    Sadly, I have to be out of town Saturday and will miss the visitation and memory service.
    Yours truly, Bob Ward

  6. Mr. Weitzel “Irvie” and his family lived across the street from my childhood home throughout my growing up years. He took us all to school many mornings and his home was the place to go after school if our parents were not home. He was a great teaser. I remember giggling and laughing, secretly, at his many jokes. I could not show that I thought it was funny because his nickname for me was “Stone Face”. My Dad bought a piano so that my brothers, sister and I could take piano lessons. Dad asked Irvie to paint it and just “use some paint he had left over.” The piano turned out a pale blue with white, black and gray speckles! It sure brightened up our practice time. My prayers are with the family. Blessings, Tamara “Tammy” Goettel Miller

  7. Linda, Jeff and family,
    I have very fond memories of Irv from my early youth fishing for Walleyes on Pelican, hunting for Fox, shooting pool, playing cards and all the fun we had when our families were together. Irv was the funniest guy I know. He was very generous. Irv taught me how to reload shells and the basics on hunting Ducks and Pheasants. Irv was a standout guy.

    Our deepest sympathies to all of you with the passing of your father, God Bless!


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