Char Wanner, 81, Dickinson, died on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at Sanford Health, Bismarck with family by her side. Char’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Monday, September 15, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Dennis Schafer as celebrant. Interment will take place at McKinney Cemetery, Tolley. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a Vigil at 5 p.m. with Deacon Al Schwindt presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church.
Charolette Louise Chapman was born July 22, 1944 in Vermillion, SD to Warren and Ellen (Denison) Chapman, the youngest of three children. The family later moved to Kenmare, ND. After graduating high school in Kenmare, she married Jim Hembree. Three girls made their family complete. They lived in Tolley, ND and later moved to Edgeley, ND. Jim passed away in 1997.
Char married Art Wanner in 2003, and they made their home in Dickinson. This was the beginning of a 21-year adventure that would see them traveling the world together. One of the most important trips was to Guatemala to help Julie, Art’s daughter, adopt Josh, (Art and Char’s grandson). They returned to Guatemala a second time to volunteer with The God’s Child Project.
Char enjoyed living in Dickinson. She loved helping Art at the Wurst Shop and getting acquainted with the community and even grew to like Art’s sausage. She enjoyed helping Art with the veterans programs and as a result became involved with the American Legion Auxiliary. She loved the time she spent with her Red Hat Society friends.
Religion was important to Char and as a result she participated in numerous church activities. As an interfaith couple, Char and Art assisted with marriage preparation counseling with young couples.
Char is survived by her husband of 21 years, Art; daughters, Valerie (Roger) Gilseth, Bethany (Robert) Sellers, and Melanie (Rob) Hull; step-children, Brian (Jolene) Wanner, Julie (Lloyd) Otto, and Audrey (friend, Dyer) Salmon; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. It was a good 81 years!
Per Char’s request, please donate to God’s Child Project or to a local food pantry instead of sending flowers and plants.