Wilfred M. "Willie" Fetch

Wilfred M. "Willie" Fetch passed away peacefully at home, after a brief, courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family on June 12, 2010, his 78th birthday. Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon Wednesday, June 16, at the Church of Corpus Christi, Bismarck, with Rev. Paul Becker and Rev. Thomas Kramer officiating. Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. in St. John's Cemetery, south of Mandan. Visitation will be held from 5:30 until 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a vigil/rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Willie was born south of Beulah on June 12, 1932, the son of Frank and Freda Buchmann Fetch. His family moved to Bismarck and he graduated from St. Mary's Central High School in Bismarck in 1950. As a young boy, he delivered telegrams on his bicycle, and he was an usher in a movie theater. He served in the North Dakota National Guard for six years. While still in high school, he began his 45 year career at The Bismarck Tribune as a journeyman pressman, retiring in 1995. He married the love of his life, Nancy Jean Parkinson, on May 28, 1952. They were the proud parents of seven children, 22 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren. Also lucky to have been a part of the family is his faithful canine companion Rocky. A man of many interests and talents, Willie enjoyed playing guitar, riding his motorcycle, waterskiing, fishing, working in his yard, and morning coffee with his friends at Dakota Farms. His mechanical abilities were known by all, and he was referred to as the man who could fix anything. Willie was always there to lend a hand to those in need. He volunteered his time delivering Meals on Wheels, and driving veterans to the VA Clinic in Fargo. He volunteered at the Church of Corpus Christi, where he was a charter member, and in his earlier years served as Cubmaster in the Boy Scouts of America. After his retirement, Willie occasionally worked as a driver for Hertz Rental and the US Post Office. He is survived by his children, Al Joy Fetch, Punta Gorda, FL; Deb Bob Dolajak, Jim Lori Fetch, Cindy Wade Anderson, Kelly Curt Jundt, Lori Tony Turitto, all of Bismarck; and Conni Kevin Allmaras, Carrington, ND; grandchildren Kristy Bryan Carothers, Keif Fetch, Sarah Adam Zielachowski, Jessie Dolajak, Chris Alli Dolajak, Lindsey Bert Frishman, Stephen Fetch, Thomas Fetch, Jenna Stephen Lannoye, Laura Anderson, Nathan Anderson, Amy Andrew Marsh, Becky Dave Wood, Michael Jundt and fiancee Megan Kroshus, Mandi Turitto, Nick Rachel Turitto, Emily Turitto, James Turitto, Eric Allmaras, Ryan Allmaras, Ross Allmaras, and Madeline Allmaras. Brothers and sisters include Dorothy Preabt, Norman Mary Fetch, Vern Fetch, Bonny Fetch, and Judi Johnson, all of Bismarck; Tom Janice Fetch, Fargo; and Ken Fetch, Ames, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Nancy; his parents; his infant brother LuVern; his father and mother-in-law, Royal C. and Dorothy O'Riley Parkinson; his brother-in-law, Harley Preabt; and his brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Donna Parkinson.

Wilfred M. "Willie" Fetch

June 12, 1932 - June 12, 2010