Josephine "Josie" Ressler

Josephine “Josie” Ressler, 88, Mandan, went to be with the Lord and entered eternal rest on December 23, 2023, at CHI St. Alexius, Bismarck, surrounded by her loving family.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Keith Streifel celebrating.  Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Women of the Moose Ritual at 6:45 PM, followed by a Parish Rosary and Vigil at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. 

Josephine “Josie” was born March 9, 1935, in Solen, ND, the youngest of 17 children to Anton and Margaret (Bullinger) Leingang.  She was raised and educated in Solen.  Josie’s parents each passed away when she was in her early teens and she was then raised by her older siblings while she helped care for her nieces and nephews.  On September 16, 1957, Josie married Richard M. Ressler at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan.  They made their home in St. Anthony on Richard’s family farm where they raised their eight children.  Coming from a large family, she learned many skills that she put to good use raising her own family.  She made sure all of her children were loved deeply, fed well, and raised with their faith.  Josie enjoyed decorating for every holiday and spending time with her family.  She treasured becoming a grandmother and celebrating each birth and always remembered each birthday.  Graduations and weddings were the highlight of her years as a Grandma.  A professional Grandma, she also enjoyed watching other people’s children.  Josie enjoyed numerous activities including shopping, spending time with her family, Sunday drives, attending church and in later years watching it on tv, Polka hour, puzzles, and watching Family Feud and Everybody Loves Raymond.  Every Sunday she would visit one of her children’s homes.  Strong in her faith, Josie was a devoted Catholic and prayed the Rosary daily.  A fantastic cook, everyone looked forward to her special German dishes of cream chicken, German potato salad, Schoopnoodla and homemade donuts called “Rubbernecks” dipped in chocolate sauce.  Her large family shared many words to describe their beloved Mom and Grandma including: sweet, family centered, well dressed, liked her bling, spiritual, strong willed yet easy going, and she liked a clean home.  A devoted and caring woman, Josie leaves a legacy of love and family.

Blessed to have shared in her life are her eight children, Cindy (Lynn) Gustin, Carla (Tim) Tausend, Dick Ressler Jr. (JoAnn Wetsch), Ben Ressler, Bill (Candace) Ressler, Vick Morelli (Craig Forlader), Betty Jo (Keith) Kautzman, and Tina Pritchett; 15 grandchildren, Mallory (Anton) Sattler, Kyle (Amanda) Gustin, Brianna (Matt) Keller, Skylar (Ben) Peterson, Dmitri Tausend, Tiara Ressler, Jessica (Denver) Tergesen, Trey Ressler, Braden Ressler, Christian Morelli, Kylie (Ashton) Cline, McKenna Kautzman (fiancé, Ty Bergquist), Keaton Pritchett, Kelbi Pritchett, and Kinsley Pritchett; and 16 great grandchildren, Cooper, Elena, and Brenna Sattler, Raylan and Ryker Gustin, Ari, Rori, and Sonny Keller, Ripken and Hartley Peterson, Lillian, Bridger, Ellie, and Andi Tergesen, Beckam and Madden Cline.    

Josie was preceded in death by her parents and all of her siblings: six sisters, Anna Schwengler, Clara Eisenbeis, Bertha Magilke, Appolonia Kary, Margaret Schaf, and Lula O’Dell; and ten brothers, Nick, Ed, Alex, George, John, Tony, Adam, Ralph, Jacob and Francis; and special friend, Ralph Mueller.

The family gives a sincere thank you to Dakota Home Care and Josie’s most recent caregivers, LaDon, Kaitlyn, Barb, and Jesselee for their compassionate care.  We are forever grateful for their dedication, friendships, thoughtfulness, and understanding Josie’s health needs as well as insuring she had her nightly comfort food of an ice cream cone.  A heartfelt thank you to Deacon Kevin Leingang aka, the Communion Guy, for the many prayers, blessings, weekly home visits, listening to Josie’s stories, looking at pictures, and appreciating her knick knacks.