Quentin Spitzer

Quentin R. Spitzer, 87, Bismarck, passed away on August 20, 2025 surrounded by loved ones. Quentin was born May 1, 1938 in Bismarck, ND. Quentin and Joyce celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on August 16th, 2025.

Quentin, born of Edmund and Maragaret (Hagstrom) Spitzer, was raised on a farm near Baldwin, ND. He was a 1956 graduate of Wilton High School. He attended college at North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU) and Highline College in Washington. In 1958, Quentin married the love of his life, Joyce Wahl. Quentin often expressed his luck and gratitude for having Joyce as his better half. Together they had three daughters: Brenda, Pamela, and Colette. Quentin was outnumbered by his 3 daughters and 6 granddaughters, but embraced the female legacy he and Joyce created.

Quentin and Joyce moved to Tacoma, WA after their honeymoon trip to Washington. Quentin worked for Boeing Aircraft in Washington as an Expediter and Engineer Aide from 1958-1963. He worked in Inventory Control for the Hyster Company in Seattle from 1963-1969. They later relocated back to North Dakota in 1969 and began pig farming outside of Wilton. From 1971-1987 Quentin was a Substitute Carrier for the United States Postal Service (USPS), later becoming a full-time Rural Mail Carrier in 1987. Quentin was awarded Rural Carrier of the Year in 1998. He retired from the USPS in 2000.

Quentin was an involved member of his community. He was in the Mclean Unit Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, North Dakota Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, and the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association. He served as a board member for both the Wilton School Board (9 years) and Wilton Farmers Union (6 years). He was also a member of the Elks Lodge #1199 and Moose Lodge #302 in Bismarck, and the Wilton Lions Club—serving as Secretary from 1984-1989. Quentin volunteered with the Wilton Ambulance and Wilton Fire Department.

Quentin was strong in his faith and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilton and served as a Session member for many years. He and Joyce were frequent volunteers on a number of committees within the church.

Quentin and Joyce spent their retirement years traveling and wintering in Yuma, AZ. They visited 49 states; took frequent trips to Mexico; made countless friends and enjoyed visiting family. Quentin was quick with a quip or practical joke, and renowned for his sweet tooth and knack for finding a bowl of candy in any room. Quentin enjoyed camping, fishing, reading, traveling, and hunting. He had the honor of filling his once-in-a-lifetime moose tag in 1996. He and Joyce loved playing card games with friends, going on morning walks, and dancing together every Saturday night in their kitchen.

Quentin will be greatly missed by his wife, Joyce (Wahl) Spitzer. He leaves behind his daughters: Brenda (Duane) Schaefer and Pam (Jim) Schmidt; granddaughters: Alexa (Bill) Mercado, Kayla (David) Schmidt, Kristin (Timothy) Hepfer, Erica (Austin) Todd, and Katie (Chad) Shelkey; great-grandsons: Lewis and Warren Hepfer; siblings John Spitzer and Jeff (Robyn) Spitzer; sisters-in-law Suzanne Spitzer, Karen Zackula, Sheila (Mike) Anderson; and brothers-in-law Larry Evenson, Gilbert (Marlene) Wahl, Wallace (Gail) Wahl, and Allan (Donna) Wahl; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

In his passing, Quentin is reunited with his parents; Parents-in-law Wilbert and Esther Wahl. His daughter, Colette Spitzer; grandchildren: Kaisha Mercado, Benjamin Shelkey, and Rebecca Jenkins; sisters LaVonne Ulrich and Virginia Evenson; brother Thomas Spitzer; brothers-in-law Ronald Wahl, Robert Ulrich, and Max Zackula; sister-in-law Judy Wahl.

A Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 27th from 5-7PM at the Parkway Funeral Service; 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Guests are encouraged to wear a pair of bright, funky socks to celebrate Quentin’s love of quirky socks.

The Funeral Service starts Thursday, August 28th at 10:30AM at First Presbyterian Church; 401 Dakota Ave, Wilton. A livestream of the service will be available at www.parkwayfuneral.com. Following the service, lunch will be served at First Presbyterian Church, with an opportunity to share memories and Quentin-quotes. Afterwards, the funeral procession will continue to the Baldwin Cemetery.

Quentin’s guestbook may be signed online, and floral arrangements can be ordered through Roberts Floral and Gift in Bismarck. Quentin’s family would like to thank the hospital staff at CHI St. Alexius for their genuine kindness and compassionate care in Quentin’s final days.