Hildegard Steckler

Our sweet Momma Hildegard (Fleck) Steckler, 96 of Mandan, ND passed away on Saturday, February 24, 2024, surrounded by her family, at Edgewood Assisted Living, Mandan, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 29 at Christ the King Catholic Church in Mandan with Fr. Fred Harvey celebrating. Burial will follow at Mandan Union Cemetery. Visitation will be on Wednesday, February 28 from 5-7 PM with a Rosary/Vigil Service at 7 PM at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan.

Hildegard was born June 18, 1927, in Mandan, ND to Mathew and Ludmilla (Jochim) Fleck and raised on the family farm near Solen, ND. She attended St. Anthony parochial school for the first six years of grade school where she was baptized, confirmed, and made her First Holy Communion all by Father Andrew Kolbech at St. Anthony Church. The Remaining years of grade school were attended at rural country school and went on to graduate from Mandan High School. She worked at First National Bank in Mandan, taught rural school and worked at Mor-Gran-Sou Electric in Flasher before her marriage to the love of her life, Leonard Steckler on Oct 10, 1951, at St. Anthony Church by Father Amandus Studer.  Hildegard and Leonard were members of St. Anthony Church until 1995, and then Christ the King Parish in Mandan. Hildegard's faith was very important to her and led her to be a member of Christian Mothers of St. Anthony (where she held various officer positions), Catholic Daughters of America and Christ the King Parish quilters club.

While on the farm, she helped with whatever work needed to be done. Milking cows, raising chickens for food, selling eggs to various restaurants, attending to her large vegetable and flower garden, and much more while also attending to the children.

She retired from the farm with her husband Leonard and moved to Mandan in 1993 where they built their retirement home. They loved to travel with family and friends, which took them to the Holy Land, Alaska, Canada, Hawaii and various other places in the US.

Hildegard really enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who were very special to her. She loved to cheer them on at their various activities, such as sports, music recitals, etc. Some hobbies were quilting, crocheting, baking, dancing (especially the polka with Leonard), square dancing, playing cards, and gardening. She liked to keep busy in the kitchen preparing meals for family and friend gatherings. Her specialties were German dishes like cheese buttons, potato salad, meat balls (which her grandchildren loved) and of course grandma's special homemade buns.

Left with wonderful memories of Hildegard are her children, John (Gloria) Steckler, St. Anthony, Joyce Saunders, New River, AZ, Charlotte (Mark) Schmidt, Mandan, Lenora (Lanny) Kenner, Bismarck, Myron (Renita Berger) Steckler, Bismarck. Thirteen grandchildren, Emily (Durand) Schlafman, Aaron (Lexus) Steckler, Morriah (Travis Thielen) Saunders, Travis (Casey) Schmidt, Preston (Megan) Schmidt, Sheena (Jason) Fetzer, Jordan (Timarra) Kenner, Ethan and James Kenner, Dave Mitchell, Tyler Steckler, Kristina (Emett) Diede, Ashley (Jace) Helmers. Nineteen great grandchildren, Eddy, Emersyn, Landri, Brooklyn, Kyan, Kash, Ryder, Noah, Bennett, Rian, Ella, Calvin, Liza, Lydia, Destiny, Taylor, Lane, Hadley, Yatsin and a great grandson on the way. Great-great grandchildren Bexleigh & Onyx. One sister-in-law Kathleen Fleck.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Leonard Stecker, parents Mathew and Ludmilla Fleck, mother and father-in-law John and Carolyn Steckler, two sisters and brother-in-law Margaret (John) Schmidt, Ludmilla (George) Ferderer, three brothers Peter (Elizabeth) Fleck, Mike (Katie) Fleck, Emanuel Fleck, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jack (Clementine) Steckler, Peter (Veronica) Steckler, Anton (Kathryn) Steckler, Magdaline (Anton) Ressler, Clara (Theodore) Gerhardt, son-in-law James Saunders, grandson Joshua Saunders, granddaughter Carrie Mitchell, daughter-in-law Marlys Steckler.

 Her family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Edgewood Assist Living and Caring Edge. Their care was much appreciated.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to a charity of your choice.