Donald Mitchell Swentzel Jr.

Mitch Swentzel

Donald Mitchell Swentzel Jr., 64, of Minocqua passed away on Thursday April 30th, 2015, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. He passed peacefully surrounded by his wife, two children and his oldest friend.
Mitch was born February 9th, 1951 in Toledo, Ohio to Donald and Gertrude Swentzel. He graduated from Sylvania High School in 1969 and went on to attend Ohio State University.
Mitch's love of the Northwoods began in childhood when his grandparents Bud and Clara McAllister owned and operated McAllister's Lodge on Trout Lake, where Mitch and his family summered.

Mitch met Linda Rezcallah in Toledo, Ohio in 1974. They married at St. Elias Orthodox Church in Toledo on May 10th, 1975. They moved to Minocqua in the fall of 1976 where they began construction of The Cheese Board in The Olde Minocqua Boardwalk. The store opened in May of 1977 and it is still owned and operated by his wife today.

Mitch loved the Northwoods and enjoyed spending time with friends and family at Crystal Lake and Cathedral Point in Boulder Junction. He also treasured lunches with his friends in Minocqua and visits from friends and family from Ohio.

Mitch diligently battled diabetes since the age of 10. In May 1991, he received a kidney transplant donated by his wife Linda. He received a second kidney transplant in May 2011, this time donated by his son Josh. He faced his many health struggles with unwavering determination and grace with his constant supporter, caregiver, wife and best friend Linda, and the love and support of his children.

Mitch will always be remembered for his wisdom and wit, his compassion, his willingness to help others, and his unwavering love for his family. He touched many lives and made many dear friends during his life and he will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his loving wife Linda; daughter Sarah (David) Sloan; son Josh; brother Stephen. Mitch also leaves behind sisters-in-law Nancy Rezcallah and Sandy Stark; brother-in-law George (Nouha) Rezcallah; neices Vanessa Rezcallah and Holly Stark; nephews Anthony (Myrna) Rezcallah and Alex (Farah) Rezcallah; great neices Mary and Anna Rezcallah; great nephew George Rezcallah; and countless dear friends both local and far away.

Mitch was preceded in death by his parents Donald in February 1984 and Gertrude in March 1990, his Aunt Peg Englehardt in January 2015, and his mother-in-law Mary Rezcallah in April 2015.

Memorial Services will be held on Wednesday, May 6th at 12:00 Noon at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI with a visitation from 11:00 AM till time of service at Noon.
Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY