Emil Stadel, 97, of Champlin, MN, died November 23, 2025, at Encore Assisted Living. Funeral services will be held Monday, December 1, 2025, at 10:00 am at Feist Funeral Home, Napoleon. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at the Napoleon City Cemetery.

Emil J "EJ" was born in rural Dawson County, Marsh MT, the son of Jacob & Anna Marie (Opp) Stadel. He was baptized in the Lutheran Church in Marsh MT, on February 19, 1928.

Emil was called to active military during the Korean Conflict in 1951, serving with the 47th National Guard in Camp Rucker, AL and the 714th Railway.

Emil married Alma V Karius on June 3, 1951, while on active military duty.

Following his discharge from active military duty, Emil was employed by the Northern Pacific Railroad as a Telegrapher and Station Agent, Fargo Division. His calling letters as a Telegrapher were "EJ."

He then attended Ellendale State Teachers College, graduating with Bachelor of Science Degree in May 1958. He graduated with a Master of Science degree in 1961.

He returned to the University of ND and graduated with a Doctor of Education, Ed D and then became the Dean of Des Moines Area Community College, Boone Campus.

Later, he joined the Iowa Department of Transportation, Planning & Research Division for Rail Abandonment and Airport Development projects in Ames, IA. He retired in 1994 and relocated to Champlin, MN.

Emil's past professional memberships included Pi Omega Pi, Gamma Epsilon Chapter, Delta Pi Epsilon and Alpha New Chapter at the University of ND. Other professional, community and church activities included Rotary Club, American Legion, German Heritage Society, Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce and Board of Directors of Christian Education.

Emil researched the Stadel Family Ancestry with Erwin Stadel of Wolfsborg, Germany, back sixteen generations to the year 1480 in Germany. The family research resulted in finding the Stadel Coat-of-Arms. In 1996 Emil journeyed to the Homeland of Germany and his ancestors.

In retirement he devoted his summers to preserving trees, nature, and wildlife habitat on the family agriculture property in North Dakota, now known as Stadel Family Agri-Properties & Wildlife Preserve.

Emil is survived by his sisters Edna Feist and Hilda Thurn, children Harlen and Cynthia, five grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Esther Hummel and Bernice Stadel.

Memorials can be donated to the Napoleon City Cemetery.