William 'Bill' Dietzler

William Dietzler, age 84, of Alexandria, formerly of Starbuck, died Monday, February 22, 2016 in St. Cloud. A private service will be held Friday, February 26, 2016 in Alexandria. A public visitation will be held on Thursday. Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM Thursday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Interment in Kinkead Cemetery will be at a later date. OBITUARY William Sylvester Dietzler was born September 7, 1931 in Philadelphia, PA, the son of Harry and Eleanor (Lally) Dietzler. He was raised in Philadelphia where he attended St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and St. Joseph’s University. On June 12, 1954 Bill was united in marriage to Eileen Baird. At the time of their marriage Bill was in business with a friend and their company produced awnings. Bill also served in the Marine Corp Reserves. Realizing that he may be drafted into the Armed Forces, Bill instead enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and went on active duty. He served at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina where he and Eileen made their home until his honorable discharge. After his honorable discharge from the Marines, Bill returned to Philadelphia and began his career in sales with the Prudential Company. He worked for many different companies in various industries as a professional salesman throughout his career. He and his family relocated many times over the years. Bill was proud of his sales abilities and technique; he could and did sell just about anything. Bill retired at age sixty-two. Bill felt that the Midwest was the proper place to raise his family and he chose to move his family to Minnesota in 1972. Through the years, they were residents of Starbuck, Minneapolis, and most recently, Alexandria. Bill enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, golfing, and watching sports on TV. He also enjoyed music and entertaining audiences at nursing homes and other venues with his keyboard and voice. Wherever he lived he was active in a church. Bill enjoyed writing and was a published poet. Most of all, Bill loved his family, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. On Monday, February 22, 2016 Bill died at the age of eighty-four years. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Harry and Charles Dietzler; and one great grandson, Mason Manthei. Bill is survived by his wife Eileen Dietzler of Alexandria; children, Karen Manthei and husband, Greig, of Alexandria, William M Dietzler and wife, Judy, of Alexandria, Pat Baukol and husband, Pete, of Blaine, MN, Mark Dietzler and wife, Kathy, of Fox Island, WA, Terri Ellefson and husband, Jason, of Ham Lake, MN and Paul Dietzler and wife Jackie, of Flower Mound, TX; grandchildren, Adam Manthei, Anthony Manthei, Heidi Dietzler, Will Dietzler, Matthew Dietzler, Peder Baukol, Andrew Baukol, Lindsay Dietzler, Natasha Dietzler, Alexandra Dietzler, Sara Snyder, Jesse Snyder, Jacob Ellefson, Nicholas Ellefson, Samantha Dietzler, Jessica Dietzler, Joshua Dietzler and Aleigha Dietzler; great grandchildren, Samuel, Micah, Joseph, Gavin, Elijah, Nathaniel, Peder IV, Nicola, Josephine, Kaydence and Bristol; brother, Thomas Dietzler; and one sister, Anne Mellon and husband, Larry. A funeral service was held Friday, February 26, 2016 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Pastor Jeff Way officiated. Interment will be in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria at a later date. Honorary casket bearers include all of Bill’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. Military honors were provided by the American Legion Post 87, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 235 and the Minnesota National Guard. Memorials are preferred to the Samaritan’s Purse-“Operation Heal Our Patriots”. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. www.andersofuneral.net

William 'Bill' Dietzler

September 7, 1931 - February 22, 2016