Arnold "Joel" Stradinger, 69, of Mercer, ND, died June 14, 2024 at his home under Hospice Care following a 10 year battle with cancer.  Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Mercer with Pastor Paul Schauer officiating.  Burial will be in the Mercer City Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the church in Mercer with a prayer service at 7pm.

Joel was born on September 14, 1954, the only child of Reinhart and Lila (Calheim) Stradinger.  He was raised and educated in Mercer, graduating from Mercer High School in 1972.  Joel moved to Bismarck where he did various jobs.  He attended a bee keeping class at BJC which led to a career as a commercial beekeeper for over 40 years.

Joel married Rhonda Novotny in Bismarck on May 4, 1984.  They lived in Bismarck where their 2 sons were born. He held various jobs while living in Bismarck.  Joel moved his family to Mercer in 1992, moving to the farm to pursue his beekeeping business.  The family continued beekeeping, working together for many years.   Joel traveled to California each year for pollination.

Joel was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where he served on the church council, he was a member of the ND Beekeepers Association, Wise Township Board, Mercer City Cemetery Board and was very active and involved in many improvements and maintenance at the Mercer Community Center.

He enjoyed his Harley Davidson, hunting, vacationing with friends, where he made many memories, playing golf with his North Dakota and Arizona buddies, and attending his boys sporting events.  Joel loved to make people laugh, he had a crazy sense of humor and was known for his snarky comments.  His greatest joy was his family, especially his grandchildren, Joel loved being a grandpa.

Joel is survived by his wife, Rhonda of Mercer, ND; sons: Jarod (Stephanie) and their daughters, Payton and Paislee of Bismarck, ND; Tyler (Courtney) and their sons, Archer and Ozzy of Bismarck, ND; his mother, Lila Stradinger of Turtle Lake, ND; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles & Marge Novotny; sister-in-law, Renae (Dallas Lang) Sawicki of Bismarck, ND and a nephew, Mitch (Jordan) Sawicki and their children, Hayden and Brandt.

He was preceded in death by his father, Reinhart Stradinger; and an aunt and uncle: Jens and Edna Glad.