H. Louise Hatzenbihler

Louise Hatzenbihler, 95, Mandan, died April 24, 2024, at her home. 

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2:30 PM on Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, St. Anthony, ND, with Fr. Paul Gardner celebrating.  Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery.  

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a rosary/parish vigil at 7 PM.   Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

H. Louise was born on June 17, 1928, to Frank and Rose (Svihla) Slezak on a farm south of Mandan. They lived in Fallon, St. Anthony and Breien, moving to Mandan when she was in the 7^th grade. She graduated from Mandan High School in 1945. 

Louise managed the Coffee Bar in the Red Owl Store and was employed at Dr. A. C. Braxmeier’s office at the time of her marriage to Nick Renner on Oct. 8, 1946. Nick, a disabled army vet of World War II, was the son of Valentine and Catherine (Bender) Renner of St. Anthony.  Louise and Nick had three sons and three daughters. Nick was injured in a tractor accident and died November 20, 1967. Louise and the children (ages 10-months to 14 years) stayed on the farm. She enjoyed her large vegetable and flower gardens, and her house plants.

Louise’s faith was important to her. She was active in the Catholic church including teaching Catholic education classes, helping at Church fairs, and assisting with Deanery meetings. She was an active member of the Pro-Life Group, Christian Mothers and the Homemakers. She served as Secretary of the St. Anthony Parish Council, the first woman to do so, and was also the first woman to serve on the St. Anthony School Board and to drive bus for the school.  

On Oct.20, 1984, she married Ralph Hatzenbihler, a widower with five adult children, formerly from Center, ND. They moved to Mandan in 1995. Louise was a member of the Morton County Library Board and served as secretary of the Tuesday Golden Age Bowling League for 17 years. She compiled three family genealogies, made quilts for all new baby arrivals, and traveled to the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Hawaii and Alaska, as well as other states for visits with friends and family. 

Her family was most important to her. She never failed to send a card for a birthday or anniversary. She thrived on keeping up with the lives of all those she loved. Well-known to have a competitive streak when playing any board or card game, she really liked to win! She viewed each day as a gift, intent on accomplishing as much as she could that day. She has 26 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren, with another on the way.

Preceded in death by husbands Nick Renner and Ralph Hatzenbihler, daughter Lori Renner, parents Frank Slezak and Rose Amos, brothers George and Jack Slezak, and sons-in-law Ralph Charvat and Jim Ahlberg.  

She is survived by her sister, Ann (Bob) Kudrna, Great Falls; her sister-in-law, Stephanie Slezak, Mandan; and her children: Jeff (Angie) Renner, St. Anthony; Becky (Ron) Hummel, Mandan; Jackie Renner Engelhart, Minneapolis; Nick (Sheila) Renner, Mandan; Glenn (Brenda) Renner, Santa Fe; Diane Ahlberg, Minneapolis; Cheryl (Ron) Bitz, Bismarck; Leann (Byron) Kershner, Omaha; Denny (Deb) Hatzenbihler, Rochester; and DeNae (Rodell) Buckholz, Fresno.