Douglas REUTZEL

Douglas Arnold Reutzel, 93, passed away peacefully on May 22nd in Lovell, WY. Doug was born to parents, Reuben James and Eupha Marie Reutzel, on March 22, 1932, in Trenton, Nebraska.

Doug lived in Wyoming most of his young life and moved to Lovell when he was seven years old. He loved his hometown and spent many memorable hours with his best friends growing up. He was active in sports, and his fondest memories were of playing basketball in high school. He was particularly proud of his Bulldog team placing second at state his senior year when they played Rock Springs in the state championship game. He graduated from Lovell High School in 1950.

Doug and some of his friends were still in high school when they joined the Wyoming Army National Guard in 1949. He was only 17 years old at the time and his mother was not very happy! Doug left for Army training in June of 1950. He was part of the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and served honorably in Korea from 1950-1952. His time in Korea was very difficult, but he made great friends with those he served with, and they remained close throughout their lives.

When he returned home from Korea he met and married Sharon Hansen in November of 1952. Three children were born to this union, and they later divorced in 1969. Doug then married June Wolcott in 1970 and was blessed with two more children. Doug deeply loved June and treated her like a queen. They had 35 years together in Spokane then Deer Park before moving to Las Cruces to escape the snow. They had many wonderful adventures together, seeing the world and shopping for antiques.

Doug received his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Montana in Missoula. He later received his MBA in 1966 from Santa Clara University. He had a long and successful career as a CFO in many large corporations across the west including Sylvania Electric and URM. He loved what he did and later taught accounting classes at Doña Ana Community College in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He also volunteered for the SBA (small business administration) helping young farmers and helping in the local school reading to and with young children in Augusta Montana. In addition to this service, he also wrote grants for the Senior Citizens center in Augusta and was active in supporting Compassion International.

He shared a lifelong love of fishing with his children and grandchildren. He spent many hours on the Kootenai River and the Yaak river in Libby, MT, the Missouri and the Sun River in Augusta, MT, with his Airedale Terrier, Pretzel. He moved to Augusta, Montana, after losing June, to get closer to home and to enjoy world renowned fishing. All his family benefited from his fishing expertise, and everyone has cherished memories of fishing expeditions with Dad and Grandpa. He loved attending his grandchildren's events, especially sports. He attended many Lovell Bulldog football and basketball games in his later years.

Doug moved back to Lovell in November of 2022. He was so happy to be back in his hometown and close to family.

Douglas is survived by his children, Douglas Ray Reutzel (Pam), Cheri Hoffman (John), Jeff Wolcott (Megan), and Kelly Woodman, 15 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reuben and Eupha Reutzel; his beloved wife, June; son-in-law, John Hoffman; and grandchildren, Nicholas Drake Wolcott and Andrea Marie Wolcott. He was greatly loved by his family and will be missed by all of us who loved him.

A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Medical Lake, WA, on August 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any Children's aid society.