DOREEN MAE FANDRICH

Doreen M. Fandrich, 54 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Saturday afternoon, October 13, 2012 at her home surrounded by her loving family, friends and four-legged companion Darby, after a courageous, nine year battle with cancer. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, on Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service and Time of Remembrance at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Doreen will be held on Thursday, October 18th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Father C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Doreen Mae Fandrich was born May 6, 1958 to Carol (Kettwig) and Arnold Fandrich in Devils Lake, ND. She was educated in Devils Lake and graduated from Central High School in 1976. She graduated from Lake Region Junior College in 1977 with a Secretarial degree. Doreen married Randy Wessels on July 23, 1977 and they had two children, Sarah Wessels and Roy Wessels. She later married Colin Kelly Brunelle from Belcourt, ND and moved to Nebraska and Montana before moving back to North Dakota. Doreen and her children moved back to Devils Lake, in 1991 and later she married Korry Covert. Doreen worked at Heartland Care Center from 1991 to 2002 in the Restorative Therapy Department. In November of 2002, she began working for Mercy Hospital as the receptionist/secretary in the Physical Therapy Department. From May 2002 to present, she also worked at Wal-Mart as a cashier and later as a service desk associate. Doreen’s greatest joy came from spending time with her children and grandchildren. Doreen was an avid outdoors person and could often be found out in her yard working in her flower beds, or out at her children’s or brother’s farms just enjoying the outdoors and the company of family. Doreen has been a member of Live, Laugh and Learn Breast Cancer Support Group since her cancer was first diagnosed in 2002. This special group of ladies became a large part of the support system that was so important to Doreen in her long battle with cancer. She is survived by her children Sarah (Chad) Britton and Roy (Natasha Sailor) Wessels, both of Devils Lake. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren Emily Margaret, Sophia Elizabeth and Lilly Mae Britton-Jesse James and Cole Thomas Wessells-Cameron and Daveigh Sailor-Maya Wentz all of Devils Lake. Also, her special dog companion Darby. Other survivors include her father and step mother Arnold and Loretta Fandrich formerly of New Rockford, ND; brother and sisters Dean (Roberta) Fandrich, Churchs Ferry, ND, Deb (Warren) Aune, New Rockford, Donna Schwan, Grand Forks, ND, Danita (Mark) Paulson, Starkweather, ND and Danette Dean-Scott, Yelm, WA; special nieces and nephews Dean (Codi) Fandrich, Jr., Amy (Ben Chenze) Fandrich-Amanda (Ross) Nelson and Cory (Trista Hill) Hagen as well as numerous other nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great nephews. She is also survived by her “work families” from Mercy Hospital and Wal-Mart. ‘Doreen was preceded in death by her mother, Carol Fandrich; maternal grandparents Herman and Helen Kettwig; niece Carol Cossette; nephew Christian Fandrich and ex-husband Korry Covert.