Cecelia Hatzenbihler, 81, Bismarck, died Oct. 23, 2008, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Church of St. Anne, Bismarck, with the Rev. Edwin Wehner as celebrant. Burial will be held at noon Monday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a rosary at 8 p.m. followed by a parish vigil. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Cecelia was born Dec. 19, 1926, in Oliver County, the daughter of John and Eleanore (Scheetz) Hoffman. Graduating from Center High School, she went on to attend the State Teachers College in Dickinson and received her teacher's certificate. Cecelia taught country school in Oliver County for three years. On June 15, 1948, she married Monsadius "M.J." Hatzenbihler in Center.

Cecelia was a terrific listener and always made you feel important. Her sharp memory could recall details and names as if it were yesterday, and she did well when watching Jeopardy and doing cross-word puzzles. She enjoyed reading and playing card games, such as Bridge and Cribbage, and was active in the Center Bridge Club. Cecelia enjoyed watching baseball, football and golf on T.V. A talented green thumb, her gardening and canning brought wonderful produce to her table. Cecelia enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing the Missouri River and playing golf. Traveling to visit family was a highlight for Cecelia, and every fall she would travel to Washington to pick apples. Cecelia was a proud member of the St. Martin's Altar Society in Center. She was a model of encouragement and an inspiring example of generosity and love. Her legacy of love and laughter is carried in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Left with many fond memories and an example of a life well-lived is her husband of 60 years, M.J.; five daughters, Jill (Steve) Bosch, Strasburg, Arliss (Joseph) Mahrer, Garibaldi, Ore., Gail (Jim) Morton, Edson, Alberta, Canada, Denise (Jim) Brorby, Bismarck, and Raylene (Ernie) Vettel, Caledonia; five sons, Neal (Linda), Pine Haven, Wyo., Dean (Crystal), Salem, Ore., Kevin (Kim), Gillette, Wyo., Brian (Leia), Aurora, Colo., and Scott (Trudy), Billings, Mont.; 23 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Frances Kary, Mandan, Viola (Mike) Himmelspach, Jamestown, Jeanette (Myron) Brown, Center, and Beverly Moon, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Cecelia was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Keith; one granddaughter, Jodie; one great-grandson, Jacob; one sister and two brothers-in-law, Betty (Peter) Hatzenbihler and George Kary.

The family prefers memorials to the St. Alexius Dialysis Unit.

Go to www.weigelfuneral.com to sign the online guest book and view flower and tribute photos.

My Grandparents in 1947.