John Stitzel, age 88, of New Rockford, ND, died Friday, March 4, 2016, at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford.

     John Edward Stitzel, known as Jack, was born in Sheyenne, ND, on February 3, 1928, the son of Charles and Helen (Landin) Stitzel.  The oldest of eight children, John attended school until the 8th grade, and then worked on the family farm.

    As a young man he moved to Illinois, and while there he married his first wife.  He worked as a foreman at American Can Company, as a motorcycle cop, and did road construction.  Following his divorce, John moved back to ND.

     John then married Mavis Haug at Carrington, ND, in 1968.   He worked on oil rigs in western ND, and drove truck for Clark Trucking of Carrington for a number of years.  He switched to road construction, and worked in several states.  He ran every piece of equipment, and was a finishing operator even after his retirement.  He also helped haul grain and corn for Dwain Brown of Sheyenne in the last few years.

     He was an avid motorcycle rider, and had two Harley Davidson bikes that he rode up until 2 years ago.  John enjoyed working on his motorcycles and building things, and it seemed he could fix or build anything.  He loved spending time with his family, and was especially proud of his grandkids; he loved to have coffee and visit with his family.  His family was always amazed by how many people he knew across the country and over how many friends he had.   He was a member of New Rockford Eagles, and ABATE (American Bikers Amining Toward Education) of North Dakota.

     John is survived by eight children: daughters LeeAnn (Mike) Hafele and Barb (Tom) Forsberg, both of Williston, ND,  Becky (Norris) Kjos and Lori (Jeff) Brenno, both of New Rockford, Beth (Bob) Zeller, Mandan, ND, Sheila Baird, St. Petersburg, Florida; sons Greg (Sara) Haug, Bismarck, ND, and Billy (Cindy) Stitzel, New Rockford; lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

     He was preceded in death by his wife Mavis; two sons Scott Haug and Jackie Stitzel; his parents Charles and Helen; three brothers, Bob Stitzel, Dick Anderson, Ronnie Anderson; four sisters,  infant Mary Ella, Judy Drazst, Dorothy “Sis” Marmon, and Betty Jones.

VISITATION:

Monday 1PM - 8PM, Tuesday 9AM - 2PM, Evans Funeral Home, NR

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 2:00PM

BURIAL:

Riverside Cemetery, Sheyenne, ND