Elizabeth "Bette" Fockler

Elizabeth “Bette” Ann Fockler, 70, of Bismarck, left to be with her Lord on September 26, 2009, at a Bismarck hospital after a brief but dogged, uncertain, and patient struggle with cancer. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 AM United Church of Christ, 1200 East Highland Acres Road, Bismarck, due to the construction of Lutheran Church of the Cross with Rev. Donna Dohrmann officiating. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Bette was born in Beulah, ND, on February 8, 1939, to Willie and Clara Heihn Keller, the 8th of 12 children. The family moved to Bismarck, ND, when she was five years old where she attended schools, graduating in 1957 from Bismarck High School. In 1967 she was united in marriage to Richard Fockler at McCabe Methodist Church in Bismarck, ND. They lived in New Jersey, and Hazen, ND, before making their home in Bismarck in 1976. Bette was devoted to her family. She worked diligently at keeping the family connected through regular family gatherings, especially hosting Thanksgiving Day festivities at her home for 40 years. Bette worked for the Bismarck Hospital, Anstrom Dentistry, Finney Drug, and for the Hazen Star newspaper, but her joy and primary focus were her children and family. Bette had many other interests which included; growing all types of plants, including orchids for many years, doing handcrafts, such as traditional sewing, specialty quilts, and some very exquisite counted cross stitch. For many years Bette had a passion for golf, she played whenever there was an opportunity, and she made sure there were opportunities. Bette also traveled extensively with her husband throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico, and for the last 13 years spent her winters in warm Arizona and the summers in Bismarck. She is survived by husband of 42 years Richard; her daughter, Amy Kevin Hammond of Sartell, MN; her son, Aaron Jesseca Fockler of Minot, ND; and her grandchildren, Aiden, Ayleigh, and Keagan Hammond, and Monarch Fockler. Also surviving her are six sisters, Judi Wetsch, Donna Carufel, Carol Mehlhoff, Lucille Harju, Arlane Kennison, and Lorraine Galagher; one brother, Robert Keller; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and four sisters, Doris Tidball, Phyllis Connolly, Ramona Meidinger, and Marilyn Schuette. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Cross building fund in Bismarck, ND.

Elizabeth "Bette" Fockler

February 8, 1939 - September 26, 2009