Francis Duane ‘Frank’ Mitzel, 78, Rapid City died Sunday June 29, 2014 at the VA Medical Center-Fargo, ND. He was born January 20, 1936 in Hague, ND to Frank J and Anne (Roth) Mitzel. He was the middle of five children. He joined the US Navy but received a medical discharge due to flat feet. He then joined the US Air Force, where he received training at Parks AFB in California, Moses Lake, Washington and Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota. He received an early out in 1958 with an honorable discharge. Francis met his future wife, Florence and they were married June 6, 1959 at the St Helena’s Catholic Church in Ellendale, ND by Father Charles F Veach. Together they made their first home in Minneapolis, MN. They later returned to ND where they had a daughter Noreen in 1960. After moving to Wisconsin, Francis and Florence had two more children, Kevin in 1964 and Amy in 1966. Their last child, Francis John joined the family in 1984. Francis and Florence have spent a lot of their time in the Black Hills. Francis is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Florence; his children, Noreen; Kevin and wife Liza; Amy and Francis and wife Tiana; his brother James Mitzel and a sister Doris Batsch; he was also blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, Dan and Chuck and his sister-in-law Betty.