Michael “Mike” Fitterer, 73, formerly of New England, died Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at his home in Dickinson with his family at his side. Mike’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Monday, April 16, 2012 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Jeff Zwack as the celebrant. Interment will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the New England American Legion Anton Ulijohn Post #66 following the Mass. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary & vigil at 4 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Michael was born May 26, 1938 in Slope County of North Dakota, the son of Aloysius and Mary (Boespflug) Fitterer. He was raised on the family farm 1 1/2 miles NW of New England, where he attended St. Mary’s School, graduating in 1957.
He farmed with his parents until 1961 when he was drafted into the United States Army. Mike served honorably from October 4, 1961 to October 15, 1962, and then on inactive duty until September 30, 1967, discharged at the rank of SP 4. He then returned home to the family farm to continue farming with his parents. Mike married Wilma Bren on October 14, 1964 in Dickinson. Together they farmed and raised their family until moving to Dickinson in 1999, and their son Doug took over the farming. While in Dickinson Mike went to work for Letvin Equipment from 1999 to his retirement in 2005.
Mike belonged to the KC Council 1515, the St. Pius Verein, St. Anthony, and Eagle’s Clubs. He also belonged to the New England American Legion, was secretary/treasurer of the New England Rural Fire Department for 15 years, and a Kunze Township Director for 20 years. Mike enjoyed playing cards, fishing, camping, traveling and bowling. His greatest joys came from spending time with his family, seeing the grandkids and helping out on the farm with seeding and harvesting.
Mike is survived by his wife, Wilma; their four children, Lynette (Robert) Klein, New England, Gerald (Liz) Fitterer, Minneapolis, Minn., Scott Fitterer, Fargo, and Doug (Janelle) Fitterer, New England; five grandchildren, Jack, Ella, Samantha, Sierra and Max Fitterer; five siblings, Eleanor Fitterer, Dickinson, Lorraine (Tony) Braun, Dickinson, MaryAnn (Louie) Bosch, Roswell, New Mexico, Eugene (Rose) Fitterer, New England, and Margaret Burwick, Dickinson; and three sisters-in-law, Irene Fitterer, Bismarck, Lorraine (René) Reinhardt, Oregon, and Ruth Fitterer, New England. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, Clarence, Peter and Wilfred.
