David Dienstmann passed away peacefully at his home on February 22, 2026 with family by his side – likely after reminding someone to turn off the lights and not let anything go to waste.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM, on Saturday March 14, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, ND. Family will greet guests one hour prior.

Burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery, Bismarck.

David was born November 3, 1939 in Pelican Rapids, MN to Earl and Martha (Schierman) Dienstmann and was raised on a farm near Driscoll, ND with his sister Diann. Growing up, he learned the value of hard work and support of family. Not only did he attend school, he would help out on the family farm tending to horses, cows, pigs, turkeys, sheep and chickens. As a young boy, he would trap muskrats and weasels to earn extra money for the family. As an older brother, he was very protective of Diann.

After graduating from Driscoll High School in 1957, David began working at Davis Chevrolet in Bismarck doing light auto maintenance. On June 4, 1960 he married Betty Braun, beginning a partnership that would span decades. Together, they focused on family, hard work, determination and a healthy respect for a well-balanced checkbook. After a short time in Sioux Falls, SD selling Lustre Craft cookware, they returned to Bismarck where David was employed by Bismarck Grocery. In 1965, David began a 29-year career with Procter & Gamble as a territorial sales representative in the paper products division, retiring in 1994.

David had three forms of physical activity…squeezing, pinching and stretching. He was especially proud of his work with Procter & Gamble. When asked what he did for a living, he would smile and say “Well, I squeezed the Charmin”. The other two were “pinching pennies” and “stretching a dollar”. Few could rival his talent for frugality. If something broke, he fixed it. If it could be reused, he reused it. If there was a sale, he probably already knew about it.

Hunting, fishing, gardening and pinochle filled much of David’s free time. Sons and fellow friends or family members would accompany him on various hunts. Family trips would be taken to reel in fish either from boat, shore, or within many of the ice fishing houses he built by hand. Yearly gardens would begin in the house with seedlings, then transplanted to grow into a garden that would produce a generous harvest. Brother-in-law Jerry was his go-to partner in pinochle tournaments.

David was known for his harmless pranks and constant “puttering” around the house. He taught his children the importance of a hard-earned dollar and pride that comes from doing things yourself. He also has a special talent for turning skeptics into believers with his homemade venison sausage – transforming “I don’t care for deer sausage” into “Wow David…that’s really good!”

David is survived by his four sons; Daniel (Susan), of Bismarck, Douglas (Sandra) of Minot, ND, Duane (Heather) of Bismarck, Dean (Genevieve) of Bismarck; and daughter Dawn Alkhafaji of Bismarck; 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren; his sister, Diann (Jerry) Johnson of Bismarck.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Betty, daughter Deborah and her highly anticipated sister, and his parents.

In the end, the man who spent a lifetime of stretching every dollar will be deeply missed. He gave his family priceless gifts; a legacy of hard work, laughter, love, practical advice - and a gentle reminder to squeeze the Charmin…but never waste it.