Selma Stern (Tafelmeyer) was born on a farm at Northgate, North Dakota to Paul and Margaretha (Ganskop) Tafelmeyer on September 16, 1922. She attended Northgate public schools, graduating in 1940. She was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Flaxton, North Dakota, in August, 1936. Selma worked as a housekeeper, and taught school before becoming a representative for the North Dakota Farmers' Union. She married Herbert Stern of Halliday, North Dakota on June 4, 1946 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jamestown, North Dakota. The couple farmed in Halliday, North Dakota for 20 years, and in 1966 moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. Selma worked at Weyenberg Shoe Factory for 18 years before retirement. She later worked for Green Valley Enterprises for an additional 14 years. Selma enjoyed sewing, crocheting and playing cards at the Beaver Dam Senior Center. She was a member Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church and the Ladies of Good Shepherd. Much of her enjoyment came from caring for her 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was deeply loved by her nine children, Daniel (Barb) Stern, Beaver Dam, Autumn (Ken) Self, Amherst, Jeanne (Nick) Jongebloed, Beaver Dam, Sharlyne Tetzlaff, Watertown, Kendall Stern, Beaver Dam, Richard (Krisann) Stern, Madison, Elaine (Dave) Belanger, Withee, Robert (Sherry) Stern, Cambridge, and Dorothy (Pete) Janz, Beaver Dam, 20 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, She will also be missed by sisters Gertrude Winning, Beaver Dam, Eunice (Alvin) Jacobson, Williston, North Dakota, Rose Robinson, East Grand Forks, Minnesota, brothers, Reuben Tafelmeyer, Flaxton, North Dakota, David (Bobbie) Tafelmeyer, Clyde, Texas and many nieces and nephews.

Selma was preceded in death by her husband Herbert, her parents, Paul and Margaretha Tafelmeyer, brothers Jerry and Ralph Tafelmeyer, sister Pauline (Oliver) Tviet, and granddaughter Kaye Marie Tetzlaff.

A Funeral Service for Selma will take place on Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church, 1310 N. Center Street, Beaver Dam, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Kurtis Mau officiating. Visitation will also be held at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 2:00 p.m. A luncheon will be served after the service by the Ladies of Good Shepherd.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.

Click HERE to view Selma's Life Tribute Video.