Joseph C. "Joe" Kudelka

Forman, ND: The funeral service for Joseph "Joe" Kudelka will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 14, 2025 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Forman. Rev. Julie Johnson will officiate the service. Interment will be at the Forman Cemetery under the direction of Olson Funeral Chapel. Lunch will follow the service at the church. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Joe was born on a small farm near Cogswell, North Dakota on May 17, 1930. The oldest of seven children, he graduated from Forman High School in 1948 and pursued a career in farming. Shortly after, he met Ann Marie Hillestad at a party where she captured his attention by trying to trip him – the trick worked as the two wed in Havana, North Dakota in 1953. The couple had four children and enjoyed life on the farmstead until Ann's passing in 1983. Years later, Joe met DiAnna Elizabeth Wilkens Hanson at a singles dance where he poached his friend's date. He asked DiAnna to join him at The Forman Investors Christmas Party, where a first official date turned into a 12-hour conversation followed by marriage in 1992. Joe often said how lucky he was to have two great loves in his life (closely followed by his forever loyalty to all things Ford and John Deere). To know Joe, was to know he had the gift of the gab. A "visit" often lasted for hours over a pot (or two) of coffee. He had a genuine interest in how people were doing and could easily strike up a conversation about the land, his beloved Bison football and current events. His impeccable memory – often recalling vivid details from interactions that happened decades ago – stayed sharp into his nineties. He never turned down a strawberry milkshake and his family could always rely on his not-so-secret stash of Salted Nut Rolls and Red Baron frozen pizzas. A man of faith, Joe was committed to serving his community. He volunteered in leadership roles for the Trinity Lutheran Counsel, the Forman Township Board of Supervisors and the Farmers Union Co-op Association (now Full Circle Ag). Joe passed away Monday, June 9, 2025 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo at the age of 95. Joe's proudest role was being the patriarch of his large, blended family. He is survived by his wife of nearly 33 years, DiAnna Kudelka, and children David Kudelka, JoAnn (Kent) Jacobson, Paula Berriche, and Julie (Clint) Kudelka; step-children Todd Hanson, Lori Hanson, Randy (Carrie) Hanson and Stacie (Brady) Olson; and his siblings Ruth Ann Kudelka and Thomas (Joann) Kudelka. He left a legacy through his grandchildren Shelley (Justin) Lange, Dana (Nick) Holub, Alexandra Ann Jacobson, Amine Joseph Berriche, Alyssa (Colton) Bonfy, Sam Hanson, Wyatt Hanson, Grace Hanson, Landon (Caylie) Olson, Ian Olson, Brevin Olson and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Ann Kudelka, parents Joseph Kudelka and Genevieve (Wolf) Kudelka, sister Frances Kudelka, and brothers Roger Kudelka, Dennis Kudelka and Eugene Kudelka. Condolences may be directed to the family in care of DiAnna Kudelka – 109 25th Ave N – Fargo, ND 58102 or Kudelka Farm - 9371 130th Ave SE - Forman, ND 58032.