Dorothy Christine Duchschere

Dorothy’s service will be livestreamed below at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 7, 2025

Dorothy Christine (Pfau) Duchschere, 80, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully from natural causes on March 3, 2026, at Bethany Homes in Fargo, ND. She was under the care of HIA Hospice and her family. Dorothy was known for her quick wit, kindness, and unwavering dedication to her family. She touched the lives of many with her caring spirit and generous heart.

Dorothy was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph and Philomena Pfau on November 20, 1945, in Rugby, ND. She was raised on a small grain farm near Esmond, ND and attended Ridge Valley Township country school until 6th grade. She then attended Esmond High School, graduating as a part of the Class of 1963. Dorothy was a cheerleader in high school and was a waitress at Ann’s Café, serving up coffee with a smile. After high school, Dorothy earned her Cosmetology Degree from Bernel Hairstyling College in 1966. After moving to California in 1967, Dorothy was united in marriage to Christian Duchschere in 1968. They made California their home until returning to Fargo in 1970 to be closer to family. They found the small, close-knit community of Harwood, ND where they raised a family of three children, Michael, Michelle, and Mark. Dorothy was an active volunteer at St. Williams Church in Argusville, ND where she shared her strong catholic faith with her kids and Chris.

She found joy in taking care of people throughout her work and personal life. Whether it was the children in her home day care or her clients at Kelly’s Northport Beauty Salon in Fargo, she gave her all to every role. Dorothy later earned her CNA from Bethany, where she took care of residents for several years, before working on the rehab floor at Meritcare Medical Center (now Sanford) in Fargo and eventually the nuns at the Presentation Center. Her final caregiving came in her selfless act of caring for her former husband with Alzheimer’s for the last months of his life.

Dorothy passed on her love of the church and her passion for having huge gardens, canning, and ethnic German dishes to her children and grandchildren, many of these things have become their traditions that will survive for generations to come. Her legacy she leaves behind is that she was always there with a good story of growing up on the farm, and she was never short of having a sharp sense of humor, or for facing stressful situations with a level of stoic calm. She was so proud of her kids and grandkids and cherished all her visits, hugs and kisses on both cheeks.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents; all her siblings Gordon (Lavina) Pfau, Mike (Mary) Pfau, Lorraine (Grover) Chesley, James Pfau, Delores Dorscher, and Elaine Heisler; former husband Christian; oldest son Michael Patrick Dyrness; and infant grandchild, Nadia Losing.

She is survived her beloved children Michael (Mel) Duchschere of Missoula, MT, Michelle (Steve) Losing of Mapleton, ND, and Mark (Amy) Duchschere of Fargo; former daughters-in-law Colleen Magee and Leah Cristaldi; grandchildren Justin Dyrness, Maddison (Zach) Wehrmeyer, Colton, Caiden Duchschere, Nathaniel (Claire), Naomi (Niko), Noah (Kaitlyn) Losing, and Aria Duchschere; and two great grandchildren Casey and Scarlett Wehrmeyer; and many nieces and nephews.