12 Dec Hannah Stuhlmiller

Hannah Stuhlmiller, 91, formerly of Bismarck, passed away Dec. 8, 2023, at her final home, the Knife River Care Center at Beulah.  A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church with Rev. Derek Harkins officiating.  Burial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Hannah Matilda Miller was born on Dec. 17, 1931, to Christ and Frances (Hoffner) Miller, at Werner, N.D.  From there they moved to their farm north of Golden Valley, N.D., where she began her school days. The 1930s were tough times for many folks, but Hannah talked about how they raised turkeys to sell, which got them through some hard times. Hannah excelled in school, became a cheerleader for the basketball team, and graduated as Valedictorian from Golden Valley High School.

There was a shortage of teachers in the rural areas, so she became certified and taught school for a year after graduating. She probably would have continued teaching, had she not met Arthur Stuhlmiller.  Hannah and Art were married on Aug. 20, 1950, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Delores and Elmer Weisz. In a sign of the times, Hannah said they went back home after the wedding ceremony, changed into their work clothes and set about milking the cows. Then they changed back into their wedding clothes and returned to the festivities to dance the night away.

Art and Hannah began their married life together on a farm north of Dodge, N.D. They soon had a son Wayne, daughter Kaylen, another son Kerry, and daughter Sharon. In 1962, they decided to move to Bismarck where Art took on several jobs, finally settling in with a sales position at the old Tempo store, while still staying in farming long distance.

Hannah was thrilled to step into the ranch style home in Bismarck that had running water! During this time, they were blessed with two more children, Tami and Mark. The big house on 23rd Street became a favorite place to gather for Christmas as it was always filled with music, singing and dancing. Hannah loved the music of Elvis, the Righteous Brothers, and Pat Boone.

Art transitioned to the insurance business, and Hannah managed the home office while he was on the road. Still involved in the farming business, Hannah could back a grain truck up to the grain bin, get that load of wheat augered into the bin and get back to the field for the next load.  In typical farm wife fashion, she did it all, whenever and wherever needed.

Hannah was quite involved in teaching Bible School, Sunday School, and Confirmation classes at Faith Lutheran Church. She enjoyed working with the church women and was on the funeral committee for years, calling members and making sure the families were taken care of with good meals in their times of grief. She also spent time visiting church members who were in the hospital, while tending to her own big family.

Sadly, Art passed away, at age 69, after suffering a stroke at age 63. Hannah and Tami cared for him at home for those six years, earning their angel wings. After losing Art, Hannah began volunteering at the Senior Center in Bismarck, meeting folks for a card game or a meal. After some time, when the house became too big and lonely, she was ready for assisted living at Prairie Point in Bismarck. She remained very healthy, except for her mobility, and later visited Knife River Skilled Care at Beulah, where she realized she knew many of the residents living there. Coming full circle back to the area where she grew up, Hannah enjoyed playing whist and especially bingo, where she always seemed to be a lucky winner.

Hannah fell in early October, resulting in a broken pelvis. Even through the pain and the lengthy time stuck in bed, she would always muster a smile or offer a self- deprecating statement showing her still feisty side. One of her remarks to our favorite staff was “Hey, I’m old. Actually, I am beyond old! You’ve got to Laugh to keep from Crying”, she would say.

Hannah is survived by her sons Wayne (Sandy) Stuhlmiller, Bismarck, N.D.; Mark (Georgia) Stuhlmiller, Bismarck, N.D.; Kerry Stuhlmiller, Chandler, AZ; daughters Kaylen (Leland) Morast, Halliday, N.D.; and Tami (Wayne) Sellner, Bismarck, ND.; grandchildren Kim and Nicole, Brian & Blaine, Robert and Luke, Derek, Alexa, Kristie, Taylor, and Macy;  nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; parents Christ and Frances; sisters Ruth, Fern, and Delores; and her daughter, Sharon.