Edward J. Vettel

Edward J. Vettel

Edward Joseph Vettel, 87, of rural Thompson, ND died at his home on November 6, 2011 of natural causes.

He was born July 11, 1924 in Caledonia, ND, the fourth child of twelve children to Walter H. and Olivia Frances (Schnoebelen) Vettel. Edward attended grade school in Caledonia and graduated from Hillsboro High School. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served aboard the U.S.S. Sitkoh Bay CVE-86, a small aircraft carrier, as a radar man in the Pacific Theater from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He farmed with his father in Cummings, N.D. Edward married Dorothy Gregoire on October 8, 1952 in the St. Jude's Catholic Church, Thompson. They farmed there with her father, Ed Gregoire. Ed and Dorothy raised five children, Gregory, Daniel, Vicki, Laurie and Mark. He then worked many years for Drees Farms including the 2011 sugar beet harvest. His farming life began with a horse-drawn plow and ended with the latest John Deere tractors. His love of Western movies and WWII history books and videos culminated in quite a collection for the family library. Edward was able to go on the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2009 with his son Greg. Ed and Dorothy were married 59 years this past October 8. He was a great husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be sorely missed by all.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; sons, Gregory and Daniel, Thompson, ND, Mark (Nancy) Lakeside, CA; daughters, Vicki (Brian) Cote, Elk River, MN and Laurie (Tim) Bailey, Summerville, S.C; 9 grandchildren, Brandon and Barry (Loraine) Bailey, Gregory (Jayme) Vettel, Derek and Melissa Vettel, Heidi and Heather Vettel, Sean and Meghan Cote and two great-grandchildren Logan and Eva Vettel. Surviving sisters are, Rita Frenzel, Detroit Lakes, MN, LaVonne (Walter) Kozojed, Hillsboro, ND and Janice (James) Berry, Mission Viejo, CA. Surviving brothers are Gerald (Loraine) Vettel, Pine Island, MN and Thomas (Karen) Vettel, Cummings, ND.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Carl, Walter Jr., Harold and George Vettel; sisters, Geneva Anderson and Dorothy Smith and sisters-in-law Ruth Vettel and Margaret Vettel; brothers-in-law who preceded in death are, Warren Anderson, Palmer Smith and George Frenzel.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Saturday, November 12, 2011 in St. Jude's Catholic Church, Thompson, ND.

Visitation: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday with a 4:30 p.m. rosary service and 7:00 p.m. vigil service in St. Jude's Catholic Church. Visitation will continue for one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Saturday.

Interment: St. Jude's Catholic Cemetery, Thompson, ND, at a later date.

Military Honors: Members of the American Legion Post 181 of Thompson, ND and the North Dakota National Guard.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com

Gregory J. Norman-Norman Funeral Home, So. Washington St.

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