Rudolph "Rudy" Heidt

Rudolph Heidt

DICKINSON - Rudy Heidt, 78, Dickinson, died Oct. 19, 2008, at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 10 a.m. MDT Wednesday, Oct. 22, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Dickinson, with the Rev. Keith Streifel celebrating. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Dickinson.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 9 p.m. MDT today at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. MDT led by St. Pius Verein, and a vigil service. Visitation will continue from 8 to 9 a.m. at the funeral home.

Rudy was born July 11, 1930, the son of John and Helen (Dukart) Heidt. He was the oldest of seven children - three brothers, and three sisters. Rudy lost his father at the age of 46 and his mother at the age of 53, leaving the family with many hardships and responsibilities. Rudy was married to Caroline Kuylen on Oct. 12, 1961, at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Together, they farmed and raised their family on the Heidt Homestead since their marriage.

His family is the third generation on the homestead, which will be 103 years of successive ownership in the same family since November 1902. Rudy was very proud that his farm was chosen as a conservation award winner in 1983 for Western Stark County. In 1989, his family was chosen as the Knights of Columbus Family of the Year in District 3. Rudy and his wife, were still actively farming and ranching as well as volunteering many activities in the church and community. Rudy was ushering for Sunday masses along with funerals and special occasions. He was also a Knights of Columbus third and fourth degree Honor Guard member and involved with the Dakota Western Auto Club. He was a member of the St. Joseph's parish since 1980 and previously was a member of the St. Pius parish of Shefield.

Rudy is survived by his wife, Caroline; his children, Susan (Mark Bacon), Maple Grove, Minn., Casey (Linda) Heidt, Dickinson, and their two children, Casinda (fiance, Mike Langseth) and Lance, Diane (Tim Jordan), Minneapolis, and their three daughters, Kayla, Jessi and Paige (twins), LeeAnn (Jeff Wock), Wayzata, Minn., and their two daughters, Riviera and Harmony; three sisters, Rosemary Heidt, Eleanor Sand and Helen (Raymond) Sand, all of Dickinson; his brother, Christ (Jean) Heidt, Dickinson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a still-born daughter in 1966; two brothers, Jerome and Louie; and a brother-in-law, Walter Sand.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.