Dorothy V. Fairman

Dorothy V. Fairman, 97, of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away on March 27th, 2018. Dorothy was born on November 17th, 1920 in Minot, North Dakota, to Fredrick and Hazel Anderson. A family graveside service will be held at a later date. She married Max Day in 1942 and had one son, Max S. (Haroldeen) Day. Later she married Donald Fairman in 1949 and had 3 daughters; Cindy (Darrell Brackel) Niemann, Cherie (John) Davis and Mari (Tom) Fairman-Painter. Dorothy was a dedicated, hardworking, soft-spoken, and most loving person. She was employed over the years by the North Dakota Supreme Court, Northern Insurance Company, Dakota Brewery, KBOM Radio Station, and retired after 26 years as an executive secretary with the Gold Seal Company, Harold Schafer President. Dorothy was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church of Bismarck. Dorothy was a class act, always neat and stylish. Opting for style rather than comfort, she endured walking to her downtown office in high heels, not sneakers. She was a most loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be remembered for her courage, strength and support in the good and the hard times. She was beautiful with a wonderful smile. A true matriarch, she led by demonstrating to us how important family is. Creating the best holidays was her forte. We all will remember the wonderful meals and especially her homemade pies and fudge. Memories of her water skiing on the Missouri River and Garrison Dam, not realizing she was one of the first women to water ski in the area. Animals also knew no better life than the ones lucky enough to be spent with her. She was loved deeply in return by them and all her family. She is survived by her 3 daughters and her grandchildren; Kelley Day, Michael Day, William Niemann, Wendy (George) Tschida, Nichole Wilson, Amber Davis, John N. Davis, Jessica (Aaron) Lipp, Matthew (Iullia Novak) Painter; and 10 great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Donald Fairman; her sisters Vivian Anderson and Mary Ann Opp; and her son Max S. Day. We are thankful to all of the staff at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center and CHI Hospice for their care and kindness.