DONNA FAYE DICK

MANDAN, N.D.- A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1, at Maple Grove Cemetery for Donna Faye (Skager) Dick, 86, Mandan, who died Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at St. Vincent’s in Bismarck.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home, Lamar, Mo.

Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include four sons, Elwyn White and wife Christine, Illinois, Kevin White and wife Penny, Missouri, Trent White, Missouri and Gary White and wife Nina, Missouri; three daughters, Renee Sayler and husband Tim, North Dakota, Marva Schnaufer, Missouri and Jean Dick and Robert Boyd, Missouri; a son-in-law, Barry Zietz, North Dakota; her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and one brother, Alvin Skager and wife Linda, North Dakota, along with a multiple of cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; a daughter, Emily Zietz; son-in-law, Billy Schnaufer; two brothers, Edwin Skager and Charles Skager and four sisters, Ethel Layton, Astrid Cook, Lola Holznagel and Lela Hohbein.

Mrs. Dick was born Dec. 11, 1937, in Mandan, to Frank Emanuel Skager and Bessie Imogene (Koester) Skager. She married Thomas R. Dick on April 24, 1978, in Greenfield, Mo.

She lived a long, incredible life with many stories to tell and she had a significant impact on a great number of people throughout her time on earth. She was a kind, loving, generous person who always brought an extra level of joy to any room she was in. It's hard to say what she will be remembered for the most because she had so many great qualities.

Some might say it was the fact she was such an amazing mother and grandmother. She had eight children of her own and all of those children had children, and those children had children. She had an incredible memory and never forgot any of their birthdays, making each one feel special. Needless to say, she was the matriarch of a rather large and rowdy group of people, but she loved them and they loved her dearly.

Some might say it was those awesome cookouts at the farm. In the not-so-distant past, it was common to find her in the kitchen on a Saturday, cooking up a storm, in anticipation of that rowdy family showing up to spend an evening at the farm. Whether it was a random summer evening or a major holiday, she always enjoyed cooking for those she loved. Possibly most noteworthy were her famous potato pancakes, which was always a huge crowd pleaser.

Some might go further to say it was actually her baked goods that really left their mark. Famous for her pie crust, cinnamon rolls, spice cake with penuche icing, and many other delicious treats, her memory will live on in the kitchens of her children and grandchildren for generations to come.

Some might say it was Granny's Cafe that kept all weary hunters well fed and full of coffee. Some might say it is the possibility that her and her husband Tom kept a couple of casinos and Chicken Annie's in business for many years with their frequent patronage. Some might say it was her fire safety advocacy work around the farm that they'll remember the most. She would always be the first to warn someone if it was too windy to burn trash. Most of the time that warning was enough to prevent any disasters.

Some might say it was the summer family gatherings or the sleepovers with cousins or the 4th of July bonfires or Halloween hayrides or the go-kart track or just sitting there and sifting through the dirt. Point being, she had a special way of creating wonderful memories out of simplicity and touched so many lives in this way. Although most significant memories of her may differ person-to-person, there are a couple absolute truths that can be said about Donna Faye Dick.

1. She was a wonderful mom and grandma and brought together an amazing family.

2. She really was a wizard in the kitchen and shared much of that knowledge!

3. She was right and it was too windy to burn trash that day.

4. Finally, she is loved and missed beyond what words can say.