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Mathilde "Tillie" Isaak

Mathilde “Tillie” Isaak, 83, Bismarck, went to her eternal home surrounded by her family on Feb. 19, 2012, in a Bismarck hospital. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at First Lutheran Church, Bismarck, with the Rev. Allen Wagner officiating. Burial will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Tillie was born June 30, 1928, in Augsburg, Germany to Johann and Anna Seitzinger. She was raised and educated in Augsburg, Germany. She met and married the love of her life, U.S. Army Cpl. Norman A. Isaak on Jan. 7, 1950, in Augsburg. She came to America by ship with their first son months later to be with her husband, Norman. They resided in Dodge for a short time, before making Bismarck their home. Together, they raised six children.

While the kids were small, Tillie cleaned offices in downtown Bismarck and when the children were all in school, she began working for Dakota Maid Bakery on Broadway Avenue in Bismarck. She took special pride in her work and enjoyed serving and pleasing all of her customers, whom she loved. She retired from the bakery after 18 years of employment.

Tillie was very proud of her German heritage and also of being an American. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion and VFW clubs, where she and Norman shared many great times dancing and listening to their favorite bands. She enjoyed cooking, baking, bingo, dancing and making others happy. She always enjoyed having company. Daily, Tillie would always make sure that the birds and squirrels in her backyard had their bread. She even went as far as to pop popcorn for them.

She will be missed by her six children, Erlen (Jennifer), Rosemary (Dave) Nelson, Terry, Leon and Larry (Arlys), all of Bismarck, and Ronnie (Sherry), Mandan; three grandchildren, Tammy, Christopher and Karoline; three great-grandchildren; and two sister-in-laws, Hazel Gabel, Brookings, S.D., and Gladys Isaak, Richardton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; her parents; and one sister.

~Source: The Bismarck Tribune, February 2012