Florentine Hatzenbuehler

Florentine C. Hatzenbuehler, age 96, formerly of Solen, passed away of natural causes on August 10, 2026, at her home in Mandan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 15, at Spirit of Life Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Keith Streifel celebrating. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Friday, August 14, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Parish Vigil at 7 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Florentine was born December 14, 1929, in Oliver County, ND, to Martin and Monica (Meyer) Mosbrucker. She was born and raised on the family farm south of Center. At the age of 14, Florentine left school and stayed home to help her father on the farm, beginning a lifetime defined by hard work, devotion to family, and a deep faith.

On October 18, 1948, Florentine married the love of her life, Ralph Hatzenbuehler, at St. Vincent Catholic Church in Crown Butte. They farmed in the Crown Butte area for several years before purchasing a ranch south of Solen and moving their family there in 1960.

Florentine and Ralph built their life together through faith, family, and hard work. Following Ralph's death in 1994, Florentine moved to Mandan, where she finally had more time to tend to and enjoy her beautiful flowers.

Florentine was a woman of remarkable strength and an extraordinary work ethic. There was little she could not or would not do. From shocking grain and stacking hay to planting fields and gardens, she worked tirelessly, even with toddlers at her side and a baby strapped to her chest or back. James 1:19 describes the way she lived: quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Florentine was humble, quiet, and confident, a beacon of faith and strength who exemplified throughout her life the virtues of the Proverbs 31 woman. She worked with willing hands, provided for her household, spoke with wisdom, and lived a life of generosity, strength, and purpose.

Above all, Florentine was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She showed her family unconditional love. She was tolerant, forgiving, and selfless, and she loved reminiscing about the years gone by. She was immensely supportive of and proud of her children and grandchildren.

Florentine was also an amazing cook, and anyone who stopped by could count on there being a piece of pie waiting for them. Her home, like her heart, always had room for family and friends.

There will never be enough words to fully describe what Florentine meant to her family. She was their mother, grandmother, pillar of strength and steady source of support. Her example of faith, perseverance, generosity and unconditional love will continue through the generations that follow her.

Florentine is survived by her children, Darlene Froelich of Solen, Roger (Pauline) Hatzenbuehler of West St. Paul, MN, Lenore (Dan) Frank of Mandan, Nita (Jim) Rieniets of Gillette, WY, and Lisa (Mick) Davidson of Mandan; daughter-in-law, Pam Hatzenbuehler of Solen; 13 grandchildren, Sonya (Cody) Weinberger, Jason Frank (Stephanie Metzger), Jamie (James) Amundson, Travis Hatzenbuehler, Tara (Mike) Lesniewski, Andrea (Don) Miller, Cole Hatzenbuehler, Lee Hatzenbuehler (Brittany Helm), Trapper Rieniets, Taylor (Marty) Thoman, Brandi (Kenny) Bahm, Cash Davidson, and Cassidy Davidson; 17 great-grandchildren and one more in December; and three great-great-grandchildren. Florentine is also survived by her sister, Bernice Himmelspach; sisters-in-law, Beatrice Mosbrucker, Katie Mosbrucker, Helen Hatzenbuhler, and Lorraine Gerhardt; and brother-in-law, Jim (Lucy) Hatzenbuehler; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Ralph; her parents, Martin and Monica Mosbrucker; in-laws, Ralph and Elizabeth Hatzenbuhler; her children, Lucille, who died in infancy, Patrick, who died as a toddler, and Wayne, who died in December 2025. She was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Larry Froelich; siblings, Floyd (Cecelia) Mosbrucker, John (Josephine) Mosbrucker, Ben Mosbrucker, Nick (Clara) Mosbrucker, Pete Mosbrucker, and Ray (Kathy) Mosbrucker, Marge Landers, and Magdalene Suchy; brother-in-law, Martin Himmelspach; Hatzenbuhler in-laws, John R. (Ida) Hatzenbuhler, Isabelle (Frank) Schmidt, Lillian (Simon) Schmidt, Stanley Gerhardt and Jack Hatzenbuhler.

Florentine's family extends a special thank you to her daughter, Lisa Davidson, for the excellent care she provided their mom; to her daughter, Darlene Froelich, who also helped care for their mom; and to her longtime caregiver, Kaylee Foley, who loved Florentine and provided her with such gentle care. The family also thanks Sanford Hospice for caring for Florentine during the final week of her life.

Florentine's life was rooted in faith, strengthened through hard work, and devoted to the people she loved. Her family will remember not only all that she did for them, but the example she gave them: listen patiently, work willingly, forgive generously, love unconditionally, and always make sure there is enough pie to share.