Jody Marie (Scheeler) Dolechek, 56, Dickinson, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, April 30, 2021 following a courageous seven-year battle with cancer. Jody’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 7, 2021 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. William Ruelle as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Thursday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Ron Keller presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.
Jody was born May 28, 1964, a daughter of Eddie J. and Stella (Kordonowy) Scheeler at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Dickinson. She was raised and educated in Dickinson, graduating from Trinity High School in 1982. After graduation Jody began a career with K-Mart in Dickinson working in the Photo Department. Jody met the love of her life Dale Dolechek in 1982 and they were married in 1987. Their daughter Shaina was born in 1987 and shortly thereafter Dale’s career took them to Great Falls, Montana. Jody again began working for K-Mart and also started a career with Mary Kay Cosmetics as an Independent Beauty Consultant. While in Montana, Dale and Jody frequently visited Glacier National Park and its majestic mountains. They also enjoyed fishing at Holter Lake near Helena, Mont. In 1992 they decided to move back to Dickinson to raise their family. Another daughter, Briana, was born in 1995 and son Jayden in 1999. Jody held several jobs in Dickinson after returning in 1992 including Woolworths, Yesterdays Bar, Subway, KFC, Schwan’s Foods, Heart River School and most recently Dakota Diner until her health began to fail. Jody’s very first job was a young girl ringing up orders at her father’s grocery store, Scheeler’s Supermarket; while standing on a milk crate as her father supervised her.
Jody loved music from an early age and learned to play the drums. She was involved in band throughout her school years. Jody was very influential in her three children learning to play drums and all three were very involved in band during their school years. Jody and Dale loved rock ‘n’ roll music and attended numerous concerts together over the years, sometimes taking their children with. She enjoyed camping and relaxing around a glowing campfire. You would seldom see her without her favorite beverage, Diet Mountain Dew. Jody’s hobbies were interior decorating, refinishing old furniture and shopping at thrift stores. Jody also enjoyed watching TV sitcoms, especially the Rosanne series and the Friends series. However, her favorite TV show was Little House on the Prairie. Jody will be remembered for her quiet disposition and being a very generous person. Jody and her family are members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Jody had volunteered her time as a Catechist for Second Grade CCD. Her faith was very strong throughout her cancer journey and she prayed to God often. Jody accepted and fought cancer courageously and never once complained about her illness. She always had a smile on her face during her seven year fight. Although her family is relieved her suffering has ended, she will be dearly missed by many.
Jody is survived by her husband, Dale Dolechek, Dickinson; two daughters, Shaina (Coyote) Fairbank, Polson, Mont. and Briana (Tevin) Papineau, Dickinson; one son, Jayden Dolechek, Dickinson; grandchildren, Colton, Wyatt and Amelia Fairbank, Polson; six sisters, Jackie (Denny) Hendershott, Carrollton, Texas, Paulette (Don) Hall, Liverpool, NY, Linda Meyer, Lawrence, Kan., Pam Zierolf, Houma, La., Carla (Mark) Kolling, Bismarck, Tracy (Richard) Arndorfer, Mandan; two brothers, Rick (Karla) Scheeler and Pat (Paula) Scheeler, all of Dickinson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie J. and Stella Scheeler; and a sister, Nancy Scheeler.