John Emil

John J. Emil, 68, passed away unexpectedly of a brain aneurysm on March 13, 2023. 

A Funeral Service will take place on Monday, March 20, 2023, at 10:30 AM at First Lutheran Church in Mandan. Burial will immediately follow at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be on the evening of Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at First Lutheran Church in Mandan.

John was born July 17th, 1954 in Mandan to parents John R. Emil and Agnes (Balkowitsch) Emil. He enjoyed 45 years of marriage to his wife Debbie, meeting at Mandan High School the spring of 1971.  They graduated in the class of 1972.  Marrying six years later, they built their first home in Mandan, welcoming their daughter Kim in 1982.  Daughter Carly arrived in 1984, completing their family.

John was simply the best at everything he did, the hardest worker, and was always helping others. He was incredibly devoted to his family and friends and would do anything for his girls. 

A skilled machinist, John worked at the Amoco oil refinery for 37 years.   He was a carpenter who built four homes, fixer of all things, and avid fisherman.  When you didn’t know how to do something, you just asked John.  He loved Mexican food, a good margarita, and coffee – black.

John will be dearly missed by many, but especially by his wife Debbie (Fischer) Emil of Mandan, daughters Kim (Emil) Schroder of North Oaks, MN and Carly (Emil) Gatzlaff of Shoreview, MN, son-in-laws Tyson Schroder and Michael Gatzlaff, and beloved grandchildren, John (8) and Anna (6) Gatzlaff, and Parker (6) and Nina (2) Schroder.  We find peace knowing John will be able to live on through his organ donation, continuing to bless both our lives and the lives of others.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Agnes, brother, Dennis Emil, and in-laws, Bernice and Marvin Fischer.