Pastor Kathleen A (Dettmann) Dettmann

Pastor Kathleen Ann Dettmann, 67, went home to be with her Savior on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Essentia Health, Fargo after a short stay with a terminal illness. Services will be held at 12:00 PM CDT, Saturday, October 22, 2022, at Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah, ND with Bishop Craig Schweitzer and Pastor Mary Lou Aune officiating. Burial will follow at the Beulah City Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah.

Kathleen (Katie/Tuff) was born to Douglas and Tillie (Flemmer) Dettmann on July 22, 1955 in Bismarck, ND, the second of two children. Kathleen (Tuff) was raised and educated in Beulah. After graduating Beulah High School in 1973, she attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, earning her degree in B.A. English, History Lutheran Theological Seminary. Going into ministry as a young woman of faith was an excellent idea but she felt there was more life to live and opportunities to learn and grow from. These adventures took her to Europe, visiting several countries while abroad. Kathleen always being a missionary took bibles to leave in Russia while there. On November 14, 1982, she was ordained as a Reverend through the ELCA. Needing to do more in life and settling down a bit after traveling was when she decided to start law school at UND Law in Grand Forks, ND. Graduating in May of 1988 with the honors of Sum Cum Laude. Katie was always first pick for trivia teams. Her team rarely lost and she did not gloat, only smile. After graduating, she became a ND Supreme Court Law Clerk. Deciding she needed a faster paced life, Kathleen moved to Minneapolis after securing a job with West Law. Working at West Law for several years. The travel bug had bitten again and Kathleen, Mary Kay Weinberger and Diane Mutzenberger traveled to England. She decided that after working under her law degree and becoming worldlier, she was going to go back into the ministry, serving the Lord and His people. She received the call and moved to Hettinger, ND in 2002. A large, beautiful, older church with a grand presence is where she hung her hat for 16 years. She was devoted to her congregation, making trips all over the state to visit them and to minister weddings. Kathleen decided that she finally needed to slow down and retired in 2018. Retiring meant moving back to her hometown and living in her family home. Even though she was “retired” she never quit preaching, filling in at churches needing a Shepherd for their flock and always being only a call away. She loved the people in her life and her churches like her own. 

During her life, Kathleen had a creative streak. She made Christmas stockings for her great nephews and niece, cross-stitched, learned how to do pottery, painted ceramics, painted and decorated rocking chairs and canvas paintings.  

Kathleen had a witty but dry sense of humor. She loved the beauty of nature, especially flowers and all things purple. She was the definition of strength and determination. She never wavered in her love for Jesus. 

Kathleen is survived by her brother, Michael Dettmann, Sr, Beulah; nephew, Mick (Jenny) Dettmann, Beulah, niece, Heather (Matt) Whiteside, Longview, WA; lovingly known as Nana Kate by her great nephews & niece, Lincoln Dettmann, Julia Whiteside, Sterling Dettmann, Sullivan Dettmann and Cash Whiteside; best friend, Debbie Baier, Bismarck; cousin/cohort, Lindarae Eisenbeis, Mandan; her calendar/clock/confidant, Pat Buckmeier, Hettinger and lifelong Fidus Achates, Fabian Hoffner, Minneapolis, MN; many loving cousins and friends.

Memorials are preferred to Hettinger Lutheran Church or Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah.

Arrangements conducted by Barbot Funeral Home, Beulah and Hazen.

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