Mitchell Alan Steckler

Mitchell "Mitch" Alan Steckler, 51, Bismarck, passed away Thursday, August 9, 2012, in the company of his family, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10:30 AM at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck with Rev. Rick Fossum officiating. Burial will be at the ND Veteran's Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3:00 - 6:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, and will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at church. Mitch was born May 17, 1961, in Missoula MT, to Raymond and Delores Hamilton Steckler. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1979. Mitch served in the Army for three years. During part of this time he lived in Germany. After the Army, Mitch went on to graduate from North Dakota State University NDSU with a degree in civil engineering. He had worked for the NDDOT and was currently employed by KLJ. Mitch met his wife, Beth Larson, while attending NDSU. They married in1998 and were blessed with two children: Ellyse 13 and Joshua 10. Mitch loved spending time with his family and he adored his children. He enjoyed camping and fishing and attending football games with his family. He loved watching his kids play sports and playing basketball with them. Mitch will be remembered for his devotion and commitment to his family, and his strength and determination. He was quick witted and gifted with the ability to do comic impressions which impressed his family and friends and always made them smile. Mitch had a great sense of humor and a wonderful laugh. Mitch loved football. He was a lifelong fan of the Raiders. He also enjoyed watching the NDSU Bison. Mitch had the opportunity of a lifetime when he went with his brother and brother-in-law to the National Championship in Frisco, TX, to watch the Bison win. He was an avid sports card collector and a Simpson fan. He was a gifted guitarist and enjoyed writing songs and singing. Prior to becoming ill, Mitch was an avid runner and enjoyed running with his brother and brother-in-law. He also enjoyed spending time with his NAS buddies. He looked forward to their annual fishing trips. Mitch was amazingly strong. During the last three years his health posed numerous challenges. Mitch continued to try to take trips and carve out time with his family. Last summer the family spent a week in South Dakota seeing the sights. He took his family and kids out fishing and camping to make sure to provide memories. Mitch is survived by his wife, Beth; his children, Ellyse and Joshua; his mother, Delores Thompson, Dickinson ND; his brothers, Bart Elaine, Two Rivers, WI, Barry, El Paso, TX, and Craig Cyndi, Spokane, WA; his sister, Deanna Jerry McGovern, Dickinson, ND; his brother-in-law, Allan Cinda Larson, Ballwin, MO; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond P. Steckler; his mother-in-law, Elsie Larson; and all of his grandparents.

Mitchell Alan Steckler

May 17, 1961 - August 9, 2012