Dorothy M. Sauer

Dorothy Mathilda Schill Sauer, one week shy of her 87^th birthday, passed away on May 15, 2024. The final four days of her life were spent surrounded by her children and grandchildren, and those who couldn’t make it in person where able to be present to her by phone.

Dorothy was born May 21, 1937, in Langdon, ND, to William and Mary (Kordosieur) Schill. Dorothy attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School, graduating in 1954. She went on to Minot State Teacher’s College and earned a degree in elementary education and subsequently studied for her master’s degree for specific learning disabilities at the University of North Dakota. She taught special education/Chapter 1 for most of her career.  She taught at Mowbray, Vang, Walhalla, Northwood, Midway-Inkster, Humboldt (MN), and lastly at St. Alphonsus in Langdon when they needed a computer teacher. She was an itinerant special ed. teacher for Cavalier County for three years and taught preschool at the Langdon Day Care for two years. When Humboldt/St. Vincent (MN) needed a volleyball coach, she volunteered for the position, learning by attending coaching seminars and training. 

After retirement, Dorothy and her older sister, Leona, painted houses - inside and out. No job seemed too big for them. Dorothy loved gardening, especially growing flowers; cleaning; and feeding anyone and everyone. She loved attending sporting events even long after her children graduated. She volunteered wherever and whenever needed, first at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel then at St. Alphonsus. She enjoyed helping in the kitchen and partaking in bible studies and holy hours. She helped many, calling them her “Little Old Ladies”. 

She met her husband, Lloyd Francis Sauer, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel during choir practice. They married June 14, 1956. Together they had seven children and raised them on their farm near Mount Carmel.

Dorothy is survived by children: Duane (Gervenna) of Shevlin, MN; Carl of Langdon, ND; Jacqueline (Tim) Keith of Chadron, NE; Joyce of Rapid City, SD; Jeanette (Tim) Houle of Brainerd, MN; Jennifer (James) Kruize of Fargo, ND; daughter-in-law ShaAnn Sauer of Fargo, ND; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Eric (Lindsey) Taveren and children, Westly and Kara, of New Brighton, MN; Joshua Keith of Dickinson, ND; Jamie (Tasha) Keith and children Charlotte, Lydia, Calliope, of Dickinson, ND; Jason (Kathy) Houle and children Monica, Robert, Teresa, Gianna, Josephine, of Vadnais Heights, MN; Matthew Houle of Vadnais Heights, MN; Zoe (Jacob) Dust and children Peter, Mary Grace, Andrew, of Nashville, TN; Nathan Kruize of Dilworth, MN; Hannah Kruize of Fargo, ND; Kylie Kruize of Moorhead, MN; Erin Kruize of Fargo, ND; and Melissa Henry and children Levi Henry and Riley Hemmingsen of Grand Forks, ND. She is also survived by her siblings: Leona Schneider of Walhalla, ND; Wilfred (Sue) Schill of Langdon, ND; Dennis (Diane) Schill of Hannah, ND; Patricia (Dennis) Domogala of Langdon, ND; Betty (Larry) Otteson of Holmen, WI; sisters-in-law Betty Sauer of Langdon, ND; Alfreda Sauer of Grand Forks, ND; Shirley Schill of Grafton, ND; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Dorothy in death are Lloyd; eldest son Michael Sauer and his first wife, Laurie; grandson Sean Kyle Keith; and brother Elmer Schill.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Langdon, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the church. Interment will be at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Mount Carmel, ND.