Jim Wetzel

Jim Wetzel, 74, Mandan, passed away Monday, February 6, 2023, at a local hospital. A Rite of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, February 10, 2023, at DaWise-Perry/Mandan Crematory, 4211 Old Red Trail, Mandan with Deacon Randy Frohlich officiating. Friends and family will gather one hour prior to the service. Inurnment will be in Mandan Union Cemetery. There will be no visitation, as cremation has taken place.

Jim Wetzel was born September 22, 1948, at Glen Ullin, ND, to Jack Jr. and Eleanor (Gietzen) Wetzel. He was raised on a farm east of Glen Ullin. Jim went to school at Benson Rural Schools for grade school, Almont High School, and BSC for Air conditioning and Refrigeration. Jim worked construction for many years. He started his own JD Auto in 1982. He and his wife, Kaydee owned Double D Saloon in Mandan for 12 years. Jim retired from his own car lot in 2017, he retired 3 times for 3 months but always ended up back to work. He just couldn't sit around and his wife, Kaydee, said he was just "no good" at baking cookies. For the last 6 1/2 years he worked for L&J Motors.

Jim met the love of his life Kaydee Landeis in 1990, in Mandan. They married July 19, 1996, and they loved to travel, watching old westerns, sitting out on the patio, going to Deadwood for the weekend, and Sunday drives through the car lots. Jim enjoyed Kaydee amazing cooking, his packed lunches, kuchen, Christmas Candy, and his favorite was apple pie. Jim and Kaydee were just content as long as they were together. Jim will always be watching over Kaydee.

Jim had a heart of gold, was very humble, and private man. Jim took his stepchildren, Lee, Tracy, and Shelly under his wing as his own. He loved spending time with his Grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jim had restored several 1970 Chevelles. Jim was an avid curios and relics collector. Him and Kaydee enjoyed making sausage with the family.

He is survived by wife, Kaydee, Mandan; stepchildren, Tracy Harche, Burleson, TX, Shelly (Chuck) Schacher, Mandan; 7 grandkids; 6 great-grandkids; siblings, Jeanette Leistiko, Jean (John) Bachler, Gerald (Irene) Wetzel, Lou (Lee) Bahm, Rhonda Keller (Milo Johnson), Colleen Weeg, Mary (Craig) Greff, Margo Wetzel, and Mischelle Sturn; in-laws Darleen Aman, Frank (Debbie) Landeis; and numerous other family members.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Eleanor Wetzel; father-and-mother-in-law, Pete & Tilly Landeis; stepson, Lee Harshe; brother, Dave Wetzel; sister-in-law, Julie Tuntland; brother-in-law, Larry Aman; in-laws, Dave Keller, Allan Leistiko, Delvin Sturn, Rick Weeg; and infant siblings, Jackie, Patrick, Patricia, and Richard.