Tillie Theodora Dobrinski, 94, Minot, former longtime Makoti area resident, died Monday, July 23, 2012, in a Minot nursing home.
Tillie was born Nov. 4, 1917, at Hayti, S.D., the daughter of Paul and Anna (Anderson) Hammer. She moved with her family at a young age to Ambrose, where she was raised and educated and graduated from Ambrose High School. She attended Minot Normal School (now Minot State University), where she met Edward Dobrinski. Tillie taught at country schools near Noonan for two years.
Tillie and Ed were united in marriage on June 8, 1941, at Ambrose. She and Ed farmed for more than 60 years southwest of Makoti, where they raised their three children. Tillie was truly a partner in the farming milking cows, driving grain trucks, packing mid-day lunches for the help, and cooking meals for the crew. She was very involved in the children's activities, including being a 4-H leader. Tillie was a longtime member of the Makoti Homemakers and enjoyed gardening, her flowers, playing cards, sewing and baking, and was well known for her delicious caramel rolls. She and Ed were longtime members of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Makoti, where she was active as a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Ladies Aid.
Tillie and Ed traveled extensively and visited every state, plus Norway and Mexico. They enjoyed their frequent fishing trips to Canada, and spent winters in Arizona during the late 1960s until they purchased a condominium in Minot in 2001 and spent winters there. They moved into Edgewood Vista in 2008 and to ManorCare in 2011. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in June 2011. Ed died Jan. 14, 2012.
Survivors: children, Phyllis (Hilman) Anderson and Everett (Peggy) Dobrinski, both of Makoti, Cheryl (Arnie) Stein, rural Surrey; grandchildren, Melissa (Dave Money) Anderson, Darla (Jason) Churness, Michael (Suzi) Stein, Darren (Carisa) Dobrinski, David Anderson, Jennifer (Guy Hanley) Stein, and Kristi (Mark) Schaefer; great-grandchildren, Zachary and Emily Churness; Britton (Brandon) Bissette, Brenna and Devin Stein; Isabella Dobrinski; Samantha and Emily Anderson; and Emma, Jack, Oliver and Henry Schaefer; great-great-grandchildren, Laila Stein and Roman Bissette; sister, Olga (Orvin) Ege, Bismarck; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Tillie was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Jesse Stein; brother, Sigurd; and sisters, Anna, Agnes, Alice, Berniece and Luella.
Funeral service: Saturday, July 28, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural Makoti.
Interment: St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, rural Makoti.
Visitation: Friday, July 27, from 2 to 7 p.m., in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers or plants, the family prefers memorials to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, rural Makoti, or the charity of the donor's choice.
Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com)
