Darrel John Gietzen, 73, of Minot, ND, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in a
Minot hospital on Tuesday, September 20th, after an eleven year, courageous battle with cancer.

A prayer and share service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.

A Celebration of his life will take place at 5:00 pm at the Grand International . All are welcome to attend.

As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family requests no flowers.

He was born in Glen Ullin, ND, on August 19, 1938, to Walter and Theresa (Skalsky) Gietzen, the oldest of 10 children. He was raised and educated in Glen Ullin, ND. He joined
the army in 1963, and was honorably discharged in 1965. Upon his return, Darrel worked at
Terrace Lanes in Wahpeton, where he met his future wife, Janice Thompson, of Garrison, ND.
He and Janice were married on August 12, 1967. They moved to Minot in 1970, and Darrel
operated the Pro Shop at Chateau Lanes. They welcomed daughter, Melissa, in 1971 and son,
Michael in 1979. Darrel owned and operated U-Rent & Sales from 1977-1994, and then went to
work for Cenex, until his retirement in 2004.

Darrel was a hard worker who prided himself in his ability to fix any small engine, so after
retirement, he continued to fix lawnmowers, snowblowers, and chainsaws out of his garage. His
retirement also allowed him to spend a great deal of quality time with his grandson, Ryan on
"Papa Days". Darrel was a story-teller, an avid bowler, a hunter, a fisherman, and a card player.
He loved the Green Bay Packers, the Atlanta Braves, and watching the Vikings and Twins lose.
He was a stubborn man with a gentle heart and will be dearly missed by all whom were blessed to have known him.

He is survived by: his wife of 44 years, Janice; daughter Melissa Gietzen, Minot; son and
daughter-in-law, Michael and Stacey Gietzen, Minot; grandson, Ryan Gietzen, Minot; sisters
Elaine (Alan) Streitmatter, Polson, MT; Joan (Gary) Weiand, Glen Ullin; Phyllis (Michael)
Mackey, Haines City, FL, Maxine Schmautz, Jamestown; Karen Gietzen, Bismarck, and brothers
Arnold (Barb) Gietzen, Dent, MN, Doug (Debbie) Gietzen, Minot; Mark (Debbie) Gietzen,
Bismarck; and Keith (Sherrie) Gietzen, Glen Ullin; brother-in-law, Arlin (Sylvia) Thompson,
Washburn; sister-in-laws, Audrey Thompson and her companion, Ron Hummel, Garrison; Clara
Thompson, Garrison; Lois (Chris) Olson, Williston; Judy (Duane) Bjornson, Anchorage, AK;
and Myrna Spoon; Seattle, WA. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Darrel was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Theresa, his in-laws, Arthur and Lillian
Thompson, brothers-in-law, Truman and Dennis Thompson, sister-in-law, Myra Thompson, and
numerous aunts and uncles.

To sign the online register go to www.garrisonthompson.com

Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison, ND