Neil Beitelspacher, 97, Bismarck, formerly of Linton, passed away Thurs., Jan. 14, 2021, due to cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Peace Lutheran Church. We ask that everyone please follow CDC guidelines.

Visitation will be held Monday, January 18, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, North Dakota and visitation will continue Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Linton, North Dakota.

Interment will take place at the Linton City Cemetery following the funeral service.

Neil's mind was active and productive until a few days before his death, although, he was wheelchair bound for many years due to diabetic neuropathy.

Neil was born to Clara (Breckel) and John Beitelspacher on the family farm west of Temvik, a place he dearly loved.

He married Lyla Backhaus on Aug. 5, 1945, at Peace Lutheran Church. Three months later he joined the Army Air Corps. He received an honorable discharge when his father became ill and he was needed on the farm.

Along with farming, he did sales work. Neil took great pride in getting telephone service to rural areas. He was one of nine founding board members of what is now BEK Communications Cooperative. He served on the Peace Lutheran Centennial committee, researching history and corresponding with former pastors and their families. After moving to Bismarck, he became a member of Grace Lutheran Brethren Church.

Neil is survived by his wife of 75 years, Lyla; his children, Laura Hirvela, Leslie Beitelspacher, Leon (Therese) Beitelspacher,and Lianne (Mike) Weninger; son-in-law, Tim Nierhake; grandchildren, Patrick (Marie) Hirvela, Sanna (Mike) Bader, Gus (Danielle) Hirvela, Jeanne David, Naomi (Brian) Faulhaber, Lyla Beitelspacher, Tommy (April) Nierhake, Teddy Nierhake, Lisa (John) Fitterer, Emily (Eric) Bosch, Jon (Jessica) Beitelspacher, David Beitelspacher, Ryan Weninger, and Katie (Tyler) Kientopf, and 26 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lillian Abell, Lucinda Meyer and Lorraine Baker; his daughter, Linda Nierhake; his grandson, Rory Beitelspacher and Rory's mother, Vicki; his son-in-law, Harold Hirvela, and two infant grandchildren.

Visit www.myersfh.com to leave messages for the family and view the service.