Josephine Obrigewitsch

A Funeral Mass for Josephine Obrigewitsch, 93, of Dickinson, will be Saturday, November 24, 2012 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Belfield with Father William Ruelle celebrating. Burial will follow in St. Bernard’s Cemetery.


Visitation for Josephine will be 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, November 23, 2012 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with a Rosary and Vigil service being held at 7:00 p.m.


Josephine passed away Monday, November 19, 2012 at St. Benedict’s Health Center in Dickinson.


Josephine Obrigewitsch was born August 15, 1919 in Belfield, the daughter of Anton and Eugenia (Ott) Obrigewitsch. Josephine was born the fifth of eight children. She was baptized and confirmed at St Boniface Catholic Church, north of Belfield. Josephine grew up on the farm, her father’s homestead, northeast of Belfield, ND. Josephine got her eighth grade education in country schools in the Green River and Spring Creek District. She moved to Belfield with her parents in the fall of 1947. She spent many years helping her parents with farm chores and helping in Belfield. Josephine also helped her sisters and brothers raise their children which would be her nieces and nephews. She was very proud to have been such an important part of their lives. After the death of her mother in December of 1970, she moved to Bridger, MT and begun working for Fr. Walsh of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, as his house keeper. While there, she was a member of St. Mary’s Circle and served as Secretary and Treasurer until moving with Fr. Walsh to Terry, MT. After two years, Fr. Walsh retired, so they moved to Apache Junction, Arizona for a few months. Josephine moved in 1981 to Bridger, MT and made her home in Campbell Court. In March of 1998, she moved to Pioneer Haven in Dickinson, ND. Josephine enjoyed growing flowers and house plants, always giving them to her many friends. She was known for growing beautiful violets and with her special touch, she could nurse the sickest plant back to life. Josephine was a great cook and baker. Her nieces and nephews loved her fried chicken and chicken noodle soup. She enjoyed trying new recipes and she made the best pies and strudel in the family. She also enjoyed sewing and kept busy making quilts for her nieces and nephews. Playing cards and reading were also hobbies of Josephine. In 2008, the Anton and Eugenia Obrigewitsch family celebrated the 100th anniversary of their homestead. Josephine loved seeing five generations of the family gathered together on the farm. Josephine was able to enjoy the gathering with her sister, Jennie; brother, Philip; and sisters-in-law, Leona and Florence Obrigewitsch. Josephine was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Belfield, serving as Treasurer of the Women’s Guild. She was also a member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Dickinson.


Josephine is survived by one sister, Jennie Wanner of Dickinson; two sisters-in-law, Florence Obrigewitsch of Belfield and Leona Obrigewitsch of Fargo; 34 nieces and nephews; numerous grand-nieces and nephews; and several great grand-nieces and nephews.


She is preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Jack, Philip, and infant George; three sisters, Agnes (Albert) Streitz of South Heart, Gertrude (Martin) Susa of Golva and Margaret (Matt) Weisgerber of MT; and one brother-in-law, Nick Wanner of Belfield.


Click to View Program (PDF)


Burial Date: November 24, 2012
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Saturday: St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield, ND