Maudie Stoller

Maudie (Gimbel) Stoller died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 93, on Saturday, November 26, 2016, with her beloved cat, Pixie, by her side. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 413 Avenue D East, Bismarck, with Pastor Thomas Marcis, Jr. officiating. Private family interment at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Bismarck will take place at a later date. Maudie was born in rural Hazelton, ND, on January 14, 1923, to Julius and Magdalena (Opp) Gimbel. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, something that remained important to her throughout her life. Maudie was educated in rural elementary schools in Emmons County and graduated from Hazelton High School in 1940. Following graduation, she moved to the “big city” of Bismarck to work at the Capitol, and enjoyed making friends and rooming with other small town gals new to the city. She worked for many years at Job Service of North Dakota and at Bismarck State College. Her dream of owning a bookstore was realized when, at age 55, she bought the Owl Bookstore in Bismarck where she met a wide variety of fellow book lovers and watched many young comic book readers grow into successful adults. She retired from the bookstore business in 1988, happily selling it to her niece, Lois, who continues to operate it today. In her spare time, Maudie always enjoyed caring for animals (mostly cats), growing beautiful cacti, sewing and, naturally, reading. In recent years she became a fan of jigsaw puzzles and coloring, to while away the time. She also enjoyed a trip to the International Peace Garden to see the cactus gardens. Maudie was married to Hilbert (Herb) Stoller in 1948 and they were later divorced. Herb died in 1972. Maudie is survived by two daughters, Mary (Sheldon) Loftsgard, and Rose Stoller. She had a special “grandmotherly” relationship with Matt Ettl, his wife Oksana and son Stefan who make their home in Brussels, Belgium and Riga, Latvia. Many nieces and nephews, and their families, also survive her. Maudie was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Emanuel Gimbel, Simon (Beverly) Gimbel, and Harold Gimbel; and by her sisters Anna (Red) Dralle, Catharine Rosendahl, Mathilda Stewart and Emily (Leo) Bitz. She was also preceded in death by many relatives on the Gimbel and Stoller family sides, near and far. If you care to remember Maudie, memorials would be appreciated to the Central Dakota Humane Society in Mandan, the H-M-B Millennium Endowment Fund in Hazelton, or Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck.