We Remember
MITZEL, Gerald
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Gerald (Gerry) Anthony Mitzel was born June 13, 1949 to Anton and Mary Mitzel in Wilkie, Saskatchewan and passed away quietly August 16, 2015. Raised on the family farm in Tramping Lake he later attended high school in Saskatoon at Aden Bowman Collegiate where he met his wife, best friend and lifelong partner Donna Mitzel (nee Cole). Together they moved to Toronto where they started their family with their first son Colin before returning west and settling in St. Albert, Alberta, where they were soon joined by a second son Tyler.
For over 25 years Gerry worked for Jostens in both their ring and photography divisions across central and northern Alberta and British Columbia. In 1998 he and Donna made a dream a reality and relocated to their favourite place to visit: Kelowna. They purchased the M&M Meat Shops in the Mission and went on to open two more locations in both Kelowna and West Kelowna while having a lot of fun and making innumerable friends along the way. In 2007, seeking a new adventure Gerry, along with his two sons, took over and expanded Kelowna InstaPrint where he assumed the roles of C.E.O. and Delivery Boy with equal aplomb until his diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 2012. In his hurried retirement he was unwavering in his spirit and able to enjoy several trips with his grandchildren and more than a few cups of coffee with his Timmies crew.
Gerry is survived by his wife Donna, sons Colin Mitzel (Andrea Chambers) and Tyler Mitzel (Jennifer) his wonderful grandchildren Riley, Quinn, Kelsey, Cole, Nicholas, and Zachary as well as his sisters Kaye Shaffer, Genevieve Keith, Helen Risling, Sharon Pederson and his brother Wayne Mitzel. He is predeceased by his parents Anton and Mary, his sister Magdeline Mitzel and brothers Robert Mitzel, Raymond Mitzel and Wilfred Mitzel.
The Mitzel Family would like to thank Dr. Derek Adam for his compassion, guidance and friendship as well as the staff and nurses at Brandt’s Creek Mews for their tireless attention and care. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the ALS society of British Columbia would be appreciated. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Rd., Kelowna, BC. If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10:00 am
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Share with Others:
ALS society of British Columbia, 1233-13351 Commerce Parkway, Richmond, BC, V6V 3A4 Link: http://www.alsbc.ca/
Service Information
Service Details
The service for MITZEL, Gerald is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 10:00 am . Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Springfield Funeral Home
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
It pains me so to have heard the news of Gerry’s passing. My deepest whole hearted condolences to his family and numerous friends. I had the up most pleasure of being able to be one of Gerry’s employes at M&M meat shops.. Where you were treated and considered a part of the family!! I will hold dearly all the great memories that I have the experience of having of Gerry.. Wishing I could be there to help celebrate such an amazing man. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you all today..always an forever!!
Much LOVE
Kristina
My deepest condolences to the Mitzel family. I am so very sorry for your loss.
I will always remember Gerry for his friendly smile, hearing about his many motorcycle trips and all the amazing concerts he was able to see. He was always a welcome visitor to us in the office at KGCC and one of the kindest men I have ever met. We will miss him.
Donna, Colin, Tyler and family, very sorry for your loss. Gerry was a beautiful soul, cherish your memories.
Jerry jerry, thank you for being you Timmy’s will never be the same, your friendship i will hold to my heart, my lasting memory will be the smile when you had a ride in my challenger, rest in peace my friend till we meet at Timmy’s in the big sky
I remember walking into M&Ms in the Mission Park Mall with my resume and meeting this wonderful man for the very first time. I said I was applying for a job and that I could be at work in two minutes. I went on to work with Gerry and his wonderful family for 5 years, and what fun, fantastic and great years they were. To Donna and the rest of the family, some of whom I had the pleasure of getting to know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
“And Peace at The Last”
An Irish Blessing .
May the road rise up to meet you,
May the Wind be Always at Your Back
And the Sun shine Warm upon your face
The Rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again
May God Hold you in the Palm of His Hand .
A man with an energy and smile that could light up the whole world, it will be dimmer now without you Gerry. I’ll keep memories of many happy days in my heart and sending all my love to cocoon and heal you Donna, Colin and Tyler.
Leah
Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about your brother’s passing . The Rusling’s from Saskatoon will be thinking of you and your family.
Lynne
Donna, Colin and Tyler, I am truly shocked, and so sorry to here of the passing of Jerry. He was an amazing man and a good friend. We had many, many fun times together and I enjoyed working with him and knowing you all for the years we worked together. My prayers are with you all. Jerry… Rest in peace. The attacked photo was my best bike trip.
Dear Donna, Colin, Tyler and your families
We send our deepest condolences as you grieve the loss of your beloved Gerry. We have so many fond memories of the “St. Albert days” with the Mitzel family. Our boys and Colin and Tyler shared so many childhood adventures and Gerry played such a big role in those experiences as coach, chaperone, driver, cheerleader, mentor, and. . . . always reliable friend. We can still remember when you, Donna, and Gerry drove into our driveway on his new motorcycle–ready for a new adventure!
We hope that the days ahead will bring memories of all of the good times that your family and friends shared, and that these memories will provide so much solace and peace for your family.
With our deepest sympathy, prayers and love . . .
Marilyn and David Wangler
Dear Donna,
I am holding you in my heart.
Kirsten
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Donna, and your family.
Jack and Barbara Burton
Sharon and Warren,
We are so sorry for your loss. May God bless you in the days ahead. May you find comfort in the many great memories you have of Gerry.
My heart goes out to you Donna and your family.
Gerry was always kind , joyful,and entertaining to us at the bank.
He will be missed.
Christina
So saddened to hear of Gerry’s passing. My deepest condolences to you Donna and your family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Cynthia
My thoughts and prayers are with you all Donna,, Sharon, warren and family
Wilma Wambacher
Dear Tyler, Jen and girls,
We are sending our sincere condolences in the loss of your father Gerry. May all your fond memories of him comfort you during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sending you HUGS.
Gail and Joe Seede
Donna, Colin, Tyler and the Mitzel Family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Gerry was a customer but I considered him to be a friend as well. We did get to go on a few motorcycle rides together but not enough. He always had a quick wit and a ready smile that I will miss.
My condolences,
Lea
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. We are really sorry that Jerry had to suffer and leave us so young. He loved life and we loved him. May his great spirit be with you and your family – from my family – Trevor, Tara and Joelle. Margo
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gerry. We’ll always remember him fondly as he was always very kind during our visits to Kelowna, especially on the golf course. We feel lucky that we had the pleasure of knowing him. Gerry will be very missed.
Since we couldn’t be there a donation to the ALS society has bee made.
Sending thoughts and hugs from Ottawa, Alyson, Scott, Alexandra & Olivia
Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity. ~Terri Guillemets
Dear Donna & Family,
Our hearts & prayers go out to you during this difficult time.
We will always remember Gerry’s sunny disposition, wonderful smile and truly infectious laugh. He will be missed.
Love,
Rob & Diana Anderson
Donna and Family: Sincere sympathy on the passing of Gerry or Mitzie as I knew him. I have many fond memories of good times spent with him during our varsity days at the University of Saskatchewan. He was always a class act. It was special spending time with him and you a couple of years ago in Vernon. I wish I would have known you folks were there earlier.
My thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Jack Neumann
Donna, My heart truly goes out to you during this difficult time of grief. Gerry was a ‘bringer of Joy’ and will be missed. May you find comfort within the beautiful family you created together.
Tyler, Jennifer and Girls,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad and Grandpa.
With sincere sympathy,
Lisa and Keith Johnson
To Gerald’s family!So sorry to hear about Gerry’s passing!
He was a great guy!A heart felt condolence to all of his family!
Enjoyed working for Gerry at M&Ms in Kelowna!
I am very sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. I spent many years working for him at his M & M businesses in the Kelowna area. My husband and I wish Donna and their children all the best.
Donna Colin Tyler We were so sad when we got the news of Gerrys passing.Donna i was so glad that I was able to spend a couple of afternoons with Gerry this summer.Donna we are praying for you during this difficult time. Jim and Holly Mitzel