Ann Doll

Ann Doll, age 97, passed from this life on January 30, 2026, at Sanford Hospital in Bismarck.

A funeral Mass for Ann will be 11 a.m. Thursday, February 5, at St. Pius V Catholic Church, with burial to follow at St. Pius Cemetery.

Visitation for Ann will be Wednesday, February 4, 2026 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. with rosary and vigil at 6:00 p.m. CT at the church.

Ann was born February 23, 1928, near Crown Butte, North Dakota. Ann (Anna) was the daughter of George and Katherine (Hatzenbuehler) Sturn. As a young girl, she attended school in the Crown Butte area, finishing the 8th grade. In her early adulthood, she moved to Washington State, where she worked as a nanny. Upon her return to North Dakota, she worked at Ohms Café. She met Matt Doll at a dance, and he would become the love of her life.

The couple married on October 17, 1950. Living on a farm near New Salem, the two shared a wonderful life together. They worked hard side by side farming and milking cows and raised eight children on the farm. When Matt cut back on farm work, they traveled around the United States, visiting nearly every state. Trips to Europe and Hawaii, as well as a cruise, were highlights of their many travels.

Later in life, Matt and Ann began spending winters in Arizona. It was there that Matt passed away on January 30, 1999. A strong, independent woman, Ann spent four more years on the farm before moving into a condo in 2003.

For the past 27 years, she filled her life playing cards with her sisters, participating in card tournaments at the Moose Club, and enjoying adventures with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored. She loved taking them golfing, bowling, and fishing. She also enjoyed quilting, gardening, putting puzzles together, and taking trips with family members. She was a good cook-her oil potato salad was a family favorite. She was a fan of the Minnesota Twins and attended several of their games. She loved to dance to polka music.

When Ann sold her condo, she moved for a short time into Edgewood Vista in Mandan. She later transitioned into Elm Crest Manor in New Salem, where she resided until her death.

Blessed to have shared her long life are her four sons and four daughters: Leslie (Jackie) Doll, New Salem; Deborah (Terry) Vesey, Wilton; Lance (Renee) Doll, New Salem; Donetta Kunkel (Kevin Schulte), Hensler; Larry (Fay) Doll, New Salem; Denise (Roger) Kiefer, Ohio; Diane (Patrick) Simon, South Dakota; Lionel (Kathy) Doll, New Salem.

Grandchildren include: Jason (Angie) Doll; Joyal (Dan) Kackman; Jenna (Eric) Powell; Jenae (Todd) Thompson; Robin (Dave) Curtis; Carrie (Bennett) Yellow Bird; Marty (Jennifer) Doll; Savannah (James) Boltz; Karly (Taylor) Heins; Dana (Mike) Armstrong; Kaden Schulte; Jasper Doll; Zackre (Amanda) Kiefer; Miranda (Kenny) Allen; Dawson (Abby) Simon; Cody (Maria) Doll; and Matthew (Lakin) Doll.

She is also survived by 31 great-grandchildren, her sister Pauline Cushman; her brother and sister-in-law Frank (Margaret) Sturn; sisters-in-law Sally Forster, Clara Sturn, Millie Hauck and Maggie Miller; brother-in-law Hank Friedt.

Preceding her in death were her husband Matt; grandson Damian Kunkel; her parents; her brothers and their wives, Ralph (Francis Jeanette), Matt, George (Margaret), John (Katie), and Philip; her sisters and their husbands Elizabeth (Frank Geiger, Bill Glasser), Rose (Conrad) Doll, and Caroline (Wesley) Eggers; her brothers-in-law Eugene Gress and Fred Cushman; and her husband's siblings and their spouses Kathyrn (Melvin) Zahnow, Lee (Lorraine) Doll, Tillie (Bill) Blasek, Larry Forster, Joe (Helen) Doll, George (Euglana) Doll, Adam Hauck, and Bertha Friedt.

Memorials may be made to the Doll Family Scholarship Fund.