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Joseph F. Heilman

Dec. 4, 1925 – Nov. 29, 2019

Joseph F. Heilman, the

son of Ferdinand and Pau-

line (Massine) Heilman

was born December 4,

1925 in Rugby, North

Dakota. He died at the

age of 93 on Friday, No-

vember 29, 2019 at St.

Gabriel’s Community in

Bismarck, North Dakota.

Joe grew up in Pierce

County and has lived here

all of his life. He received

his education in the Silva

and Rugby schools, gra-

duating from Silva High

School, the class of 1944.

Joe was united in mar-

riage to Loretta Held on

October 13, 1947 at St.

Anthony’s Catholic

Church in Selz. The cou-

ple raised their family on

their farm southeast of

Rugby. Joe was a loving

husband and father, al-

ways showing support

and guidance. He enjoyed

music, both singing and

playing guitar, entertain-

ing family and friends

with his yodeling. He

also loved dancing and

was known at wedding

dances for his whistling.

He was dedicated to farm-

ing and raised cattle too.

He was a hard worker and

very resourceful. Two of

his favorite sayings were:

“If there’s a will, there’s a

way” and “What you do

today is done tomorrow”.

Joe was kind and gen-

erous, always lending his

time, talent and resources.

He was a longtime school

bus driver and gained the

respect of both students

and parents for his service

and gentle guidance.

Upon retiring, Joe and

Loretta moved to Rugby

and embraced camping

and fishing. His love of

farming continued into

gardening and yardwork,

and he also became active

in woodworking. He was

active in his church and

was a longtime member of

the Knights of Columbus.

He achieved the status of

4th degree member of the

Knights of Columbus and

served as Grand Knight.

Joe is survived by

Loretta, his five children

Donna (Al) Jundt; David

(Helen); Duane (Jeni); Don

(Kara); and Deb (Randy)

Westby; 11 grandchildren;

15 great grandchildren;

and 2 sisters-in-law. He is

preceded by his parents;

his siblings Peter, John

and 3 siblings in infancy;

a granddaughter and 2

grandsons.

Mass of Christian Buri-

al will be held at 11:00

a.m. Monday, December

9th at the Little Flower

Catholic Church in Rugby

with burial in the church

cemetery. Father Antho-

ny Cruz, Celebrant & Fa-

ther Tom Graner, Con-

celebrant.

Visitation will be held

on Sunday from 5:00 to

7:00 p.m. at the Anderson

Funeral Home in Rugby

with a rosary and vigil

prayer service beginning

at 7:00 p.m. Visitation

will continue Monday

from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at

the funeral home. There

will be no reviewal at the

church.

Arrangements with the

Anderson Funeral Home

of Rugby. Online registry:

www.funeralsbyanderson

.com