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