Stella Schimetz, age 90 of Dunseith, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at a Rugby hospital.  A private family service will be held with burial at the St. Louis Cemetery in Dunseith.  A public visitation will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  A celebration of Stella's life will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather.

Stella Elvina (Richard) Schimetz was born October 13, 1930, in the Rolette Hospital to George and Anna (Boucher)Richard. She went to be with the Lord on November 19, 2020, at Heart of America Care Center in Rugby.  Stella was raised on a farm near Thorne. She graduated 8th Grade from Russell School. In her late teens, Stella worked as a waitress in Dunseith at Schimetz Cafe, until she married the boss in 1950.

Louis and Stella were married October 10, 1950 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dunseith. Stella worked many years at San Haven State Sanatorium in Dunseith, as a nurse's aid. She became very attached to her patients. In 1964, she received an offer from the Dunseith School to be their head cook and she accepted. By then, Stella had a houseful of kids and that job offered better hours for her.

Stella remained head cook for 32 years, and she absolutely loved her job. Her love was obvious, by the quality of food she and her staff prepared. Over the years, she cooked for thousands of kids, and, to her, they were all her kids. Stella retired in 1996. Throughout her retirement, she was visited many times by kids, now adults, that grew up eating Stella's food at school. They loved her and her food and many had their favorite dishes. Her chili, her BBQs, her turkey and stuffing, and more. Stella became somewhat of a legend in Dunseith, the town she loved.  Louis passed away on Tuesday, March 28, 2006.

Stella is survived by her daughter, Kathy Wood of Dunseith, daughter Kim (Bill) Zorn of Newcastle, WY; son, David Todd (Kathleen) of Mandan; son, Mark of Garrison; daughter-in-law Colette Schimetz of Bottineau; 12 grandchildren John (Jessica) Schimetz of Bottineau, Jennifer (Craig) Zachmeier of Rugby, Matthew (Amy) Schimetz of Bottineau, William (Raelynn) Schimetz of  Richardton, Daniel (Renae) Schimetz of Mandan, Kaitlyn (Peter) Sandroni of Minot, Ryan Vandal of Minneapolis, Rachel (Michael) Ford of Aurora, CO, Nicole (Eric) Kregel, New Castle, WY, Jaclyn Zorn of Bottineau and Jacob and Tessa Schimetz of Mandan, 17 great grandchildren, brother, Don (Marlys) Richard of Bottineau; sister-in-law Carmen Richard of Rolette; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sons, Reid and Bryan; infant son, Daniel, and twin infant sons, John and Joel;  brothers, Art, Ernest, Gene and Floyd Richard and sister Irene Lagasse.

Stella's family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at Heart of America Care Center in Rugby. Their compassion and care provided to Stella and her family during this difficult time went above and beyond our expectations. A special heartfelt thank you goes out to Becky Hershey, Director of Nurses for Long Term Care and Hospice-Rugby. She has done, and continues to do everything humanly possible, to care for her residents and their families.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.  Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.