Dorothy Stegmiller

Heaven gained a new warrior on the evening of July 9, 2023 after her courageous battle with ovarian cancer for the past 3 1/2 years. She victoriously and peacefully ended her time here on earth with her immediate family by her side and her eagerness to enter eternal life.

Dorothy Stegmiller, 72, Mandan, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Vibra Hospital in Mandan. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 15 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mandan with Fr. Josh Waltz presiding. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 14 from 4-6 PM with a Rosary and Parish Vigil at 6:00 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan. Burial will be on Monday, July 17 at 11:00 AM at the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery. There will be a procession from Weigel Funeral Home to the ND Veteran's Cemetery leaving at 10:30 AM on Monday. Both Rosary/Vigil Service and Funeral Mass will be livestreamed.

Dorothy Ann was the eldest daughter of Anton and Helen Hatzenbuhler born on August 23, 1950 in Solen, ND. She was raised with her five siblings on their family farm where hard work, strong German Catholic values, and a little mischief guided their lives. Dorothy graduated from Solen High School in 1968 and loved to tell people she attended college-for all of six weeks! She really used that as an excuse to leave the family farm. It was shortly thereafter that Dorothy met her lifelong love, Dave Stegmiller, on August 12 at a wedding dance in Mandan. It was a quick romance and they both knew immediately that they were called for one another. They married on July 12, 1969 at St. Joseph Church and made their home together in Mandan with their three children, Dean, Dewey, and Danelle. Dorothy worked for Schwan’s from 1982 to 1999. After leaving Schwan’s she worked for the Bismarck Public School system for 8 years and cleaned houses with two of her best friends (for fun money) until the time of her hospitalization.

Dorothy lived life with her whole being. She loved hard, she laughed easily, she cared deeply, and she believed strongly. Her Catholic faith was her foundation and guided her values and decisions and she remained firm in her faith despite the challenges of the past several years. Dorothy was so incredibly proud of her three children, and loved their spouses as though they were her own children. She will forever be remembered by her nine grandchildren as the most kind, generous, selfless, silly, and loving grandmother who spoiled them endlessly, baked their favorite treats, and demonstrated a strong love for family, Jesus, and fun!
Dorothy is survived by her groom of 53 years, Dave; her children, Dean (Dana), Dewey (Crystal), and Danelle (Matthew); and nine grandchildren, Carter, Zach, Abigail, Logan, Nathan, Emily, Luke, Olivia, and Macy; five siblings, Leonard, Arnold (Donna), Janice (Danny), Tony (Kim), and Debby (Ryan); and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, many of whom she shared lifelong friendships with.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Anton and Helen Hatzenbuhler; in-laws, Eugene and Emma Stegmiller; sister-in-law, Karen Hatzenbuhler; nephew, Jeremiah Hatzenbuhler; and niece, Tara Hatzenbuhler.
Our deepest appreciation to Dr. Gitau and the incredible nurses and staff at the Roger Maris Cancer Center for the care they provided throughout her cancer journey. We are also appreciate of the compassionate care she received at Sanford Bismarck throughout her hospitalization and for those at Vibra Hospital who cared for her in her final days. 

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Dorothy’s name to honor her memory.