Gordon Charles Pitel

February 4, 1921 - June 12, 2019

Gordon was born on February 4, 1921, in Hustler, Wis. to Albert and Flossie (Sanders) Pitel. After graduating from New Lisbon High School in 1938, he attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he received his B.A. degree. After graduating, Gordon taught radio theory at an Air Force Training Station in Sioux Falls before becoming a Radioman First Class in the U.S. Maritime Service during World War II, stationed at Gallops Island off the coast of Boston. There he met his wife of 69 years, Barbara Cody. They were married on September 8, 1945. After the war, Gordon taught math, physics, computer programming, and electronics at Spring Grove High School from 1947 until he retired in 1983. In addition to teaching, he built an A & W Root Beer Stand in 1953 and operated it until 1958. During the 50s and 60s, Pitel's Radio Service was the place the people of Spring Grove brought their radios to be repaired. In the 1970s, he operated a chinchilla farm in his basement. From 1973 until 1987, he and Barbara ran the B-G Book and Gift Mart in Spring Grove. Gordon was very involved in Trinity Lutheran Church, Ye Olde Opera House, and other community organizations. He loved fishing for trout in Bee Creek and walleye in the Mississippi River where he owned a boathouse near Brownsville. He enjoyed gardening and had one of the biggest vegetable gardens in town. On June 12th At the age of 98, Gordon was reunited with Barbara in Heaven. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lloyd, and his sister Berneice. He is survived by two sons Richard (Annette) and Robert (Jackie); one daughter LuAnne (Joshua) Barnet; seven grandchildren Brian (Angela) , Stephanie (Kevin) Lamb, Angela (Jeremy) Adelman, Bradley (Megan), Jesse and Casey Pitel, and Nicolena Barnet; and eleven great-grandchildren Kaden, Kael, and Kyler Lamb; Luca, Caio, and Noah Pitel; Alyson, Arya, and Zachary Adelman; Kamden Budde and Celeste Pitel. The family wishes to express their gratitude to all the staff at the Gundersen Tweeten Care Center for the love they have shared with Gordon these past four years.