Douglas Getzel, the son of William and Anna (Hostetler) Getzel, was born on November 3, 1923 on a farm in Belfast Township, Murray Co., MN. When he was 1 ½ years old, his mother died and he went to live with his grandpa and grandma Joe and Ann Getzel. He grew up on the farm southwest of Fulda and attended Dist. 43 Country School. He worked for Clarence Jans south of Fulda. Doug was united in marriage to Donna Goedtke on August 20, 1950 at the Pfingsten Lutheran Church in rural Fulda. After their marriage they farmed near Fulda and Lake Sarah before moving to rural Worthington in 1956, where they lived until they retired to Fulda in 1992. After retiring he worked for area farmers in the spring and fall and helped Roger Gerber with his back hoe business. Doug and Donna enjoyed wintering in Arizona for many years. He served as a night guard at the Murray County Fair for many years. Donna passed away in September of 2019. Doug passed away on Friday, January 3, 2020 at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda, MN the age of 96. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Worthington, MN. He enjoyed bowling, watching car races, farming and visiting with friends. Most of all Doug loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his 3 children Robert (Donna) Getzel of Worthington, MN, Gail Gruis of Fulda, MN and Sheryl “Shortie” (Paul) Veen of Charles City, IA; 7 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Betty Getzel of Brewster, MN and Margaret Goedtke of Fulda, MN; step sister, Patty Loosbrock of St Killian, MN and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, Fran Getzel, wife, Donna, 2 brothers, Jimmy Slaybaugh and WJ “Joe” Getzel, half brother, Wallace Getzel, 2 sisters, Lucille Gerber and Dorothy Gerdes, 2 half sisters, Virgene Boulet and Adele Schindler and son-in-law, Ron Gruis.

(Totzke Funeral Home)

Contributor: Faye Schuur (49007312) •