Jennifer Marie Dull Kilzer

Jennifer Marie Dull Kilzer, age 39, passed away on Dec. 8, 2021, in Hettinger, N.D., after courageously battling Glioblastoma Multiforme for eight and a half years.

In honor of Jennifer's fondness for gatherings and her passion for potlucks, all who would like to celebrate Jennifer's life and memory are invited to attend a service at 1 p.m. (MST) on Saturday, June 18, in Lemmon, S.D., at the Lemmon Armory.

Jennifer was born on Oct. 13, 1982, to Paul and Patty Dull, of Hinsdale, Mont., graduating from Hinsdale High School in 2001. Jennifer, blessed with extraordinary physical strength, was a standout athlete in basketball, volleyball, and track and remains a Raider record holder in the discus, where she was coached to state tournaments by her father.

Excelling academically, Jennifer was an honor roll student and a perennial member of school Academic Olympic teams. She belonged to the National Honor Society and held offices in her class, student council, and the FFA chapter (Jennifer never forgot the words to the FFA creed and still recited it, along with the Lord's Prayer, while undergoing MRI scans).

Jennifer also participated in school plays and, like her mother and grandfather John Leroy, played tenor saxophone in the band. Working as a school library aid, Jennifer developed impressive organizational talents and a love of making labels, skills that would serve her well in the years to come.

Jennifer attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., where she obtained a Bachelor of Science; she later earned a Master of Science in Organizational Management from the University of Great Falls.

It was through her college roommate-turned-best friend Anna Hein that Jennifer met James Kilzer, whom she married on Oct. 16, 2010. Jennifer and James raised multiple crops and their two children, Allyson and Logan, on the Kilzer farm near Lemmon, S.D., a community Jennifer loved. Having kind and intelligent children was perhaps Jennifer's favorite accomplishment, and they remain her most important and lasting legacy.

During the summer of 2013, Jennifer was diagnosed with stage IV brain cancer. She was both a statistical anomaly and a medical miracle, having beat her tumor (who she called Betsy) to a standstill by undergoing brain surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and every available experimental medical treatment. She fought her diagnosis, the odds, and insurance companies with her trademark stubborn streak and unwavering obstinance.

None of the challenges she faced were ever able to diminish Jennifer's personality or her unique sense of humor; no difficulty or delay kept her from sending out her family Christmas cards.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her great-grandparents AJ and Cecilia Hentz; grandparents Tony and Diane Dull; and her most admired uncle, Tom Hentz.

She is survived by her husband James, daughter Allyson (13), son Logan (10); parents Paul and Patty Dull; sister Kristi and brother-in law Matt Erickson (their daughters Lennon and Karter); influential Aunt and Uncle Sandy and Dana Carlile; grandfather John Leroy Hentz; father and mother-in-law Roger and Sue Kilzer; sister and brother-in-law Jessica and Chris Arodi (Alexis, Kaitlyn, and Nathan); sister and brother-in-law Jocelyn and Robert Wiesinger (Kierra, Natalie, Brayden, Blake, and Maleah); sister and brother- in-law Jill and Aaron Brummell (Noah and Levi); grandmother-in-law Bernice Franklund; honorary siblings Dylan and Brittany Jensen, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to Sanford Cancer Research. Please address memorials in Jennifer's name to Sanford Health Foundation, 300 N 7th St, PO Box 5525, Bismarck, ND 58506 and specify on check or with note that you would like the memorial to go to "cancer research."