Dwight R. Hiesterman, M.D. of Helena, Montana died at home on the morning of his 82nd Birthday, February 12, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Dwight was born February 12, 1944, in Wichita, Kansas, to Lawrence and Erna (Meier) Hiesterman. Lawrence served in World War II and was killed in Luxembourg when Dwight was one year old. Later his mother remarried Ewald Helms and they had a son, Harvey.
Early years were spent on the farm in north central Kansas, until graduating high school in 1962. He then attended the University of Kansas and the University of Kansas School of Medicine, graduating in 1966 and 1970. While attending KU Dwight met his future wife, Roxanne Griesel of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. They were married during medical school on June 8,1968. The journey continued to Akron, Ohio, for internship and residency, then back to the University of Kansas for a fellowship in Nephrology.
With the sights on the mountains and pleasures of camping, fishing, and hiking, Dwight and Roxanne set off to Helena, Montana, accompanied by two young children, Gretchen and Ward. Their youngest child, Katrina, arrived in 1979.
Dwight began his Internal Medicine and Nephrology practice at the Helena Medical Clinic in 1975 and then had his own practice until 2000. He then worked at Mountain Pacific Quality Health Foundation and eventually became Chief Medical Officer. Professional organizations included the Montana Medical Association and the American College of Physicians. Dwight actively served at First Lutheran Church and Our Redeemers Lutheran Church. A student of history, he was an avid reader of non-fiction with a specific interest in early Montana and World War II. When time allowed, he enjoyed the many benefits of Montana’s outdoors with his family.
Dwight is survived by his wife, Roxanne, daughter Gretchen Coble (Brian) of Bozeman,MT., son Ward Hiesterman ( Barb Allen) of Florence MT. daughter Katrina Hiesterman (partner Paul Slane) of Belfast, Ireland: brother Harvey Helms (Peggy) of Holts Summit, Missouri: Grandchildren: Emma and Evan Coble; Raina and Van Hiesterman: brother in law Roger Griesel ( Mary Helen) nephew Brian Griesel of Shawnee Mission, Kansas. Dwight is also survived by many beloved relatives and friends.
We wish to extend a special thank-you to the physicians who conscientiously and sincerely cared for Dwight, as well as the staff at St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made to Our Redeemers Lutheran Church, 3580 North Benton Avenue, Helena, Montana 59602 the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. BOX 78516, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or to Helena Food Share, 1280 Boulder Avenue, Helena, Montana 59601.
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 23, 2026
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 23, 2026
Our Redeemer's Lutheran Church
3580 N. Benton Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
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John Rau says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. God’s Blessings and comfort in your time of morning.
Kim and Larry Kurokawa says
Many nurses had the honor and pleasure of working with Dr. Hiesterman. No matter how challenging the work, we all appreciated his professionalism and leadership, and enjoyed his wit. It was a joy to work with him. My hope is that the family knows how much we appreciated when he showed up when we called. I wish for you the Lord’s comfort in your time of grief. He will be truly missed.
Larry and Chris Hoffman says
Dr. Dwight was one of our favorite acquaintances. He was always a ray of sunshine. Dwight was a very compassionate and caring person and his warmth radiated to others. A wonderful man who will surely be missed.
Our blessings and thoughts are with the family.
Ron and Linda Hull says
We are saddened at the news of Dwight’s passing. From the time I met him in Medical School I have been blessed with the gift of his kind and loving presence and the gift of his loving, life partner, Roxanne. Prayers for comfort and peace for all.
Bonnie Hurless says
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Dwight was a blessing to the community and all of us. I treasure the Hiesterman family as a part of my Montana family.
Rob Logsdon says
Gretchen and Family,
Many blessings and comfort to you during this difficult time. So very sorry for your loss. Dr. Hiesterman’s positive impact and contribution to Helena is only exceeded by him as a person and family man. Funny, kind and full of life.
Lowell and Susan Bartels says
Dr Hiesterman was an advocate for all in need. He went to Kyrgyzstan on the partnership for peace program. He met with their doctors and nurses and taught and helped them to lead their hospitals into outstanding patient care. He also raised over 60 thousand dollars in medicine and medical supplies to give them for their work. The people were truly motivated by his care and compassion for them. We pray for comfort for Roxanne and his family
Mary Runkel says
Roxanne and all the family,
We shall not look upon his like again.
He was a truly caring physician with a little look over his glasses that spoke volumes.
May all your memories bring you peace and comfort
Sondra Boeschen says
Sending my condolences to Dwight’s
family! I am his brother Harvey sister in-law. I met Dwight many years ago, I enjoyed our visit. He could tell some funny jokes. Years later he came for another visit with Roxanne. We met them at a restaurant (it was the start of Covid-19). What a great visit. I can only imagine the jokes he is telling in Heaven now. Dwight was full of light and laughter. Prayers to you’ll.
Kimmy Skiftun says
Roxanne, Hugs from Lee and Kimmy. Dwight will be sorely missed by everyone!
The Caldwell Family says
Dr. Hiesterman was a beautiful and compassionate soul. May God comfort your family during the days to come.
The McGraw Family says
Ward and all the family,
We are so sorry for your loss.
Our blessings and thoughts are with you all.
Trisha mc bride says
On behalf of the entire slane family here in belfast ireland we wish to send our deepest sympathy to katrina ,Paul and the entire family on the death of a much loved husband daddy and granda we will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers x
Carter Niemeyer says
With admiration and respect for a good man and his lovely family, we send our condolences!
Mary Murray Ebert says
Roxanne and family,
Please accept my condolences for the loss of Dwight. Your family is so very ingrained in my memories. You and Dwight were great neighbors for my parents, Al and Colleen Murray. I was lucky enough to have been asked to babysit Gretchen, Ward and Katrina. You all were among the best of neighbors. Bless you all. Dwight certainly made a difference in Helena.
Susan C. Witte says
Dr. Hiesterman was the best. I liked his positive outlook and his sometimes outrageous sense of humor. I was fortunate to know him and Roxanne, through work and seeing them on social outings. I am sad to hear about his passing.
Pat Murray Armstrong and John Armstrong says
Roxanne ,Gretchen,Katrina and family. We are so very sorry for your loss. The years we watched our kids grow up together is a very fond memory. If they weren’t at your house or our mom and dad’s house they were running around Hawthorn or the neighborhood. You are all in our prayers.
Rae Lynn Christians says
Dr. Hiesterman played a pivotal role in my nursing career. His heart was huge and her truly cared about his patients. I’m sad I didn’t get to say goodbye, but I know I will see him again.
Jimmy McAleavey says
Dwight will be greatly missed by his friends in Ireland, who fell for his wit and charm and grace on his visits to see his daughter Katrina and her partner Paul. Ní bheidh a leighid arís ann.
Carolyn Mai Green says
We’re so sorry for your, and our, loss. Dwight brought joy whenever he was around and whenever we thought about him.
Dwight is our 1st cousin (our mother Elfriede is Dwight’s mother’s sister). He was also the ring bearer at our parent’s (Elfriede & Albert Mai) wedding. We still have photos in a family album.
We have fond memories of Dwight & Roxanne visiting our family’s farm in WaKeeney, Kansas. On one occasion he talked Roxanne into riding our donkey, Jack. Roxanne looked quite comical.
Our mom kept us abreast of the Hiesterman family happenings, especially Dwight, her first Nephew. All her life she was proud of Dwight’s accomplishments.
Although Dwight will be missed, his memory will be kept alive by all of us who shared time with him.
Roxanne, may God bring you and all your family comfort and peace. You all are in our prayers.
John, Bruce, Carolyn, Pam
Jeanne, Gery, Colin and Logan (Rau) Flattery says
May his light continue to shine through all who loved him. Prayers are with you all. Xoxo
Rick O'Connell says
Roxanne and family. My heart aches for you. Dwight was always there with a quick ( devilish) smile to make things all better.
Hugs to all
Tim Flaherty says
Sending love and prayers from Belfast to Katrina and Paul and all Dwight’s family and friends.
Judy Carrigan says
I loved running into Dr Hiesterman in the halls of the hospital. He would look at me over his glasses and always had something funny to share. He was of the old guard doctors who cared so much for his patients. I found out one of my OT friends in Denver – Pam, was a cousin of his, too. I wish comfort for Roxanne and the family .
Keith L. Meyer says
Roxanne and Family, we were deeply saddened to learn about Dwight’s passing. I remember meeting both of you in the summer 6/1986 when I was hired at Kessler Elementary School as the Superintendent and you wanted me to meet your daughter Katrina. I remember that very day in my office. You and Dwight were so welcoming to me and my family to the Kessler Community. Dwight’s support and his wonderful bedside manner will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this tender time. Sincerely yours, Keith and Katie Meyer
Jean Branscum says
Dwight will be long remembered for his compassionate work as a physician, always encouraging and finding ways to increase medical knowledge of colleagues and improving patient care. So blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from him.
Margaret Corcoran says
Roxanne and family: our condolences to you on the loss of the wonderful Dwight. He was always a favorite customer at our restaurant. His wit and humor brightened our days. Please keep telling his jokes!!
Dick and Jan Paustian says
Roxanne and family: We were genuinely saddened to hear of Dwight’s passing. Dwight helped launch my own career when I arrived in Helena by giving me one of my first consults. It was always a pleasure to work with him over three decades due to his professionalism and knowledge. We also shared plenty of laughs during those decades. He was truly a great individual and will be missed by those who knew him and those who he helped.
Sara Medley says
Roxanne and family,
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Hiesterman. For nearly twenty years, I had the gift of working closely with him at Mountain-Pacific, and I will always be grateful for his kindness, patience and steady counsel.
He was not only an exceptional physician, but a truly special man. He gave advice generously and thoughtfully, and he made those around him feel heard and valued. My team and I often relied on his wisdom, and he never failed to guide us with calm insight and grace.
He made a lasting difference in my life and in the lives of so many others. I feel blessed to have known him and to call him a trusted colleague and friend.
With deepest sympathy and gratitude for the life he lived,
Sara
Mary Thomas says
Dear Roxanne and family,
Dr. Hiesterman was a man of humility and humor and totally unselfish. He made his patients feel that he was there for them and had all the time in the world with them. He was a magnificent Nephrologist and Caring Physician who I loved working with. He was approachable and patient with everyone he met and always had a twinkle in his eyes. The Helena Community was blessed to have him care for us.
Mary Thomas
Will Harper says
Dwight was a good friend and mentor during this physicians early years in medicine. Always will remember him fondly.
Myrna says
I am so grateful to you, Roxanne, for the time you were there on professional work trips with Dr. Hiesterman.
It was an honor to get to work with him to improve healthcare across Montana.
Craig Erickson says
My heartfelt condolences go out to Roxanne, Gretchen, Ward, Katrina, and the entire Hiesterman family.
I did not know Dwight in a professional capacity as a physician, but rather as a friend from church. I will deeply miss his quick wit, thoughtful insights, and his profound love for people and Jesus Christ.
He was a man of grace and warmth who made the world a brighter place. Dwight will be profoundly missed by his family, colleagues, and the many friends and neighbors whose lives he touched so deeply.
Rock Chalk, Jayhawk, K-U!
Rhonda Finstad says
I was so sad to hear about the passing of Dr. Hiesterman. I had the extreme pleasure of working with him at Mountain Pacific Quality Health. He was kind, intelligent and devoted to improving the lives of the Medicare beneficiaries we served. He also brought joy and confidence to the staff at work. Such a kind and good person. My heart goes out to Roxanne and all of his family. He made everyone’s lives better. ❤️
Maggie Bullock says
Just when I thought I was keeping up with Helena news, I wasn’t. I didn’t know Dr. Hiesterman had passed until a mutual friend told me. He was my Helena doc for twenty years. How lucky was I? He was the best….knowledgeable, caring, patient, thorough.
When I started living only part time in Helena, I rarely “ran into” him. He and I did see each other last year while both doing physical therapy. How lovely it was to see him and talk with him. Until I read his obituary I didn’t realize we had something in common….our age.
I extend my sincerest condolences to his wife, children, grandchildren and friends. I believe he is in such a better place.
Maureen Oelkers says
Roxanne and family, we are saddened by the passing of Dwight. What an amazing doctor but even more a gentle, humble and kind human being. Dwight inspired so many of us and he will be missed by so many in the Helena community. Many prayers are being sent to you from the Oelkers Clan. Love & prayers, MO
Shannon Montgomery says
Roxanne and family, my heart goes out to you all. I have so many fond memories of Dwight. Hugs and prayers to you all
Valerie and Bob Raisch says
Dear Mrs. Hiesterman and family,
Doc was one of the kindest and best physicians we’ve ever had. We truly loved him! So sorry to see his obituary and to read he had cancer and died on his 82nd birthday – he now has his much deserved ‘angel wings’ and I believe we’ll all be reunited one day.
May your faith, family and friends now bring you comfort and peace! Do remember all the good memories and bring up his name often! It so helps to heal the grief..
Sincerest sympathy from our FL. retirement home.
Valerie and Bob Raisch 🕯️🩷🦋🌺