Donna Betlaf, 71, Dickinson, died Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at St. Alexis Medical Center, Bismarck. Due to a recent health issue with Arnold Monday’s Mass of Christian Burial has been canceled and a private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Alexis Medical Center Chapel, Bismarck with Father Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be Sunday, October 16, 2011 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a rosary and time of sharing at 4 p.m. with Deacon Ralph Stockert presiding at Ladbury Funeral Service.
Donna Schmaltz was born August 22, 1940 at Dickinson to Nick and Adeline (Zander) Schmaltz. Donna attended Newport Country School two miles southwest of the family farm south of Dickinson. Donna married Arnold Betlaf on June 14, 1960 at Dickinson and they made their home on a farm northeast of Dickinson. Donna loved working side-by-side with Arnold on the farm. The past 12 years they enjoyed being snowbirds in southern Texas.
Donna enjoyed fishing, camping, cross-stitching, gardening, crossword puzzles, cards, and shooting pool. She was a member to the St. Anthony Club.
Donna is survived by her husband of 51 years, Arnold, Dickinson; six children, Russel (Amy Samuelson), Blackhawk, S.D., Lori (Curt) Bruner, Dickinson, Lunette (Jeff) Simbalenko, Forsyth, Mont., Lisa (Ron) Schafer, Jackson, Minn., Shane, Neillsville, Wis., and Wade (Lori), Selak, Wash.; nine grandchildren, Jenna and Evan Betlaf, Candace (Jeremy) Wetzel, Melissa (Mike) Hoff, Brock Apple, Cassandra and Jamie Kubas, and Madison and Parker Betlaf; six step-grandchildren, Lindsey and Cody Bruner, Shane Zeigler, Samariah and Dodger Bautch, and Tristan Thomas; three great-grandchildren, Sierra Wetzel, Landon Kubas, and Lindsay Hoff; eight brothers and sisters, LaVerne Kessel, Sharon (Bob) Roshau, Linda (Joe) Wanner, Patricia (Thurman) Wolf, Bertie (Kurt) Gustafson, Nicholas (Carol) Schmaltz, Jr., Bernadette (Mike) Wolf, and Charlene (EllDean) Maychrzak.
She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers, Allen, Robert, Raymond, and Ralph Schmaltz. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to a charity of the donor’s choice.
