Silverius Metzger

Silverius (Syl) Metzger was born to Severius and Lucy (Perius) Metzger on March 18, 1918 in Mt. Carmel Township, Cavalier County. He attended school in Mt. Carmel township. Syl was employed in the Wales area for several years and was inducted into the Army on April 27, 1942. He was at Camp Wolters, TX for basic training. He then went to Camp Burkley, TX and joined the 90th Division and after one year, was transferred to California for desert training. In January 1944 he went to Fort Dix, NJ and went overseas on March 23, 1944. He landed with one of the first contingents on the Normandy beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and fought across northern France, the Battle of the Bulge, and central Europe. He was awarded the Purple Heart and other commendations. Sgt. Metzger was stationed with the Army of Occupation at Neutstadt, Germany and the Flossenborg concentration camp. He was discharged October 26, 1945 at Camp McCoy, WI. Syl married Madeline Kartes, daughter of Peter and Mary Ann Brown Kartes on July 11, 1946 in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at Mt. Carmel with Father Eckhart officiating. Syl and Madeline farmed in Dresden and Minto townships for twenty years. They lived in Fargo one year and then returned to Langdon where both were employed by the Langdon School District for 21 years. Syl and Madeline were active members of St. Alphonsus Church. They were also active in many organizations including: the Langdon Senior Citizens, the Eagles, KC’s and the American Legion. They enjoyed camping, playing cards and sports, especially when the grandchildren were involved. Syl was a member of “The Old Tyme Band” and entertained at Maple Manor Nursing Home, the Senior Center, and other rest homes. He also called bingo regularly at the Langdon Senior Center. He fulfilled his wife’s dream by flying to Washington, D.C. at the age of 91, in September 2009 as a member of the Honor Flight for World War II Veteran’s accompanied by his youngest daughter Bonnie. He is survived by his children: LuAnn (Jim) Schiele of Devils Lake, ND; Mary Beth (Colin) Fetsch of Langdon, ND; Steve (Jane) Metzger of Carrington, ND; Linda (John) Benoit of Langdon, ND and Bonnie (Randy) Carignan of Walhalla, 22 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, siblings: Sister Petronilla of Fargo, ND, Emeric (Pat) Metzger of Langdon, ND, Arnold (Alice) Metzger of Langdon, ND, Ray (Lorraine ) Metzger of Byron, MN, Geraldine Waltz of Langdon, ND, Maurice (Mary Ann) Metzger of Apache Junction, AZ, Marilyn (Art) Gapp of Walhalla, ND, and Josephine (Ken) Bittner of Minot, ND He was preceded in death by his wife Madeline, granddaughter Tara Schiele, siblings: Nestor and Roy Metzger. Silverius “Syl” Metzger, of Langdon, ND, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010 at the Maple Manor Care Center of Langdon, ND at the age of 92.

Prayer Service will be on Monday, July 12, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND with visitation beginning at 5:00 p.m. Visitaiton will also take place for one hour before the time of the services at the church on Tuesday.

SERVICES will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church of Langdon, ND.

Interment: Calvary Cemetery, Langdon, ND.