Obituary of Nita Stoeckel

Nita R. Stoeckel, 72, of Crown died unexpectedly on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at Fairview Northland Hospital in Princeton. She was born July 6, 1939 in Elk River, Minnesota to Elmer and Ruth (Reed) Mord. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church of Crown. Nita grew up in Elk River and graduated from Elk River High School in 1957. After her schooling, she worked for a couple of years at an insurance company in Minneapolis. On August 29, 1959 she was united in marriage to Dale Stoeckel at Zion Lutheran Church in Anoka. The couple made their home on Dale's family farm in Crown where they farmed and raised their five children. Nita was very active in volunteering at the Crown Christian School where she was the athletic director, organized the awards banquets, started the hot lunch program and organized field trips. She was also involved in the PTA and served school lunches for many years. She was a longtime active member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Crown and was active in Ladies Aid, serving as president for a number of years and worked at several Turkey Dinners over the years. She was always active in her children's activities while they were growing up, and also attended all of her grandchildren's events as well. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with her family at the lake home near Hinckley. The lake home was always open to anyone that wanted to use it, and she was pleased to be able to make it available. She enjoyed the four vacations that she and Dale took the whole family on, from Las Vegas, to a cruise and two trips to Disneyworld. She was an avid sports fan, following the Twins, Vikings, and Timberwolves. Nita was always knowledgeable in sports, and was always ready to talk sports with anyone. She was a wonderful baker and loved to give away her cookies and pies that she made. The family always looked forward to the annual Valentine's Dinner that she would make for them. Nita also enjoyed sewing and quilting, and recently finished two quilts which have been donated to the church auction. She liked gardening, her flowers and spending time doing yard work. She was preceded in death by her parents, and son Dennis. Nita is survived by her husband Dale of Crown, daughter-in-law Fran Stoeckel of Zimmerman, daughters Julie and husband Greg Bye of Zimmerman, Nancy and husband Jeff Wagner of Zimmerman, Kim and husband Ken Springer of St. Francis, son Tom and wife Maryann Stoeckel of Crown, nine grandchildren Joe and wife Sara Bye, Allen Bye and fiancée Lindsey Herzog, Ryan Springer, Sean Stoeckel, Brandon Springer, Sarah Stoeckel, Raymond Stoeckel, Austin Weins and Jordan Weins, two great grandchildren Trevor and Cody Bye, brothers Richard Mord of Rogers, Bob and wife Diane Mord of Elk River, Bill and wife Mary Mord of Ramsey, sister Lisa and husband Andy Ford of Backus, as well as many nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.