Dorothy Coulter, 85, formerly Belfield, died Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at Sanford Health, Bismarck. Dorothy’s funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, July 14, 2017 at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with Pastor Dick Rinearson officiating. Interment will follow at Belfield Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service.

Dorothy Alene Coulter was born July 12, 1931 in Billings County, daughter of Coy and Bertha (Patrikus) Ceperley. She attended Fryburg School and graduated from Belfield High School in 1949. Dorothy married Harry Coulter in Belfield, June 16, 1949. They made their home on a farmstead south of Fryburg, where they raised two daughters, Cindi and Twila.

Dorothy was proud of her roles as a farm wife, school cook for a time, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. When Harry passed of cancer in October 1991, Dorothy’s heart was broken. However, she chose to live independently in their home nearly 26 years thereafter, until she had the stroke that took her earthly life just three days later.

She loved her home and was delighted when family would stop by (or sneak in – great-grands) for a cookie and a visit. She celebrated her 80th and 85th birthdays in Deadwood, S.D., with almost all of her family. She could stay up later than most of her younger relatives and also was more agile. She spent as much time as possible working in her yard and was even spotted running in recent years!

One of Harry and Dorothy’s favorite things to do was dance. Their loved ones have imagined joyous dancing in Heaven as Dorothy returned to Harry and Jesus.

She continues to be loved by her sister, Shirley (Dan) Althoff, Windsor, Colo.; daughters, Cindi (Don) Gordon, Fryburg; and Twila (Dean) Oe, Belfield; grandchildren, Syree (Greg) Gibbs, Indio, Calif.; Candy (John) Felts, New Salem; Sheldon (Lana) Gordon, Dickinson; Deana (Russ) Wiese, Bismarck; Teresa (Chris) Pierson, Carrington; and Doug (Katie) Oe, Fryburg; nephew Coy (Angela) Althoff, Severance, Colo.; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-niece. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband and parents.