Celestine “Sally” Dolechek, 101, Dickinson, died in the early morning on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Benedictine Living Community, Dickinson. Sally’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Justin Waltz as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a Vigil at 7 p.m., with Deacon Bob Nickola presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Sally was born August 18, 1924 in Hettinger County of North Dakota, the first born of nine children to Wilhelm and Anna Mary (Walter) Urlacher. She attended grade school in Hettinger Co., and 1 1/2 years of high school in Mankato, MN. After high school she worked for local farmers, was a waitress at the Gardner Hotel, a clerk at the Red Owl Store and Co-op store; all in New England.
Sally married Vincent Dolechek on February 5, 1946 and celebrated 63 years together. They had two children; Raymond and Betty Jane.
She was an active member of the Farmer’s Union organization where she was a youth leader in the Happy Co-op Local for 34 years. Sally was the Stark County Farmers Union Youth Leader for 15 years. She organized and supervised day schools and summer camp activities at Heart Butte Dam. She also was editor of the County Farmers Union News brochure for 14 years.
Other organizations that Sally was involved included: co-leader for five years in the KDW 4-H club; a member of the Schefield St. Pius Verein, the St. Anthony Club, the Homemakers Leap Year Club and Birthday Club.
As a longtime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Sally was involved in the Christian Mother’s, St. Ann’s Society, rosary leader for 20 years and volunteered in other church activities.
Sally and Vincent farmed for 44 years. They retired from the farm in 1987 and bought a home in Dickinson. Sally cleaned homes for clients in town, worked at a daycare and also was employed at Evergreen Assisted Living for nearly two years.
Sally loved to garden and took great pride in the vegetables she raised, then canned or froze for winter meals. Other hobbies Sally enjoyed were embroidery, crocheting, and sewing. She made a quilt for each family member. She also enjoyed making the family history book.
Sally moved to Evergreen Assisted Living on January 7, 2011, and during that year, she sold her home and had an auction sale. At Evergreen, she continued to be active in crafts and volunteer work. She sold items for the mini store at Evergreen. She watered the various house plants, led rosary and helped with making treats and other activities.
Sally made her home at the Benedictine Living Community in November of 2023.
She was preceded in death her husband, Vincent in 2009; her parents; brothers, Valentine, Frank, Florian, Leo, Edwin and Peter; and sister, Georgiana “Gena” Petermann.
Sally is survived by her children, Raymond (Kathy) Dolechek, Buffalo, WY and Betty Jane (Norman) Helvig, Golden Valley, MN; grandchildren, Michael (Susan) Helvig, Plymouth, MN, Laura (Tony) Hand, New Brighton, MN, and Kirk Dolechek, Thornton, CO; sister, Leona Roller, Missoula, MT; brother-in-law, Gene Petermann; sisters-in-law, Anna Walter, Dorothy Steier, Emma Urlacher, Eleanor Urlacher, and Arlene Urlacher; and numerous nieces and nephews.
