Agnes B Heilman

Agnes Barbara (Welk) Heilman, died peacefully on Saturday November 25, 2023 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd New Rockford, North Dakota.

Agnes was born May 1, 1933 in Orrin, North Dakota to parents, August and Theresa (Adam) Welk. She was raised in the Orrin and Wellsburg areas and attended rural schools before the family moved to Rugby in 1947. She attended Little Flower Catholic School in Rugby and Rugby High School. Soon after, she decided to help provide for her family. She started working as a waitress/dishwasher at the Gingham Café located in the bowling alley in Rugby. From there, she worked for the following businesses; Pantry Café, Eastside Grocery, Red Owl Grocery, Rugby Livestock Café and lastly the Pierce County Tribune as a columnist. She gathered information on local family social events in the Rugby area. Her kids called it the “gossip column”.

Agnes met John Heilman in 1955 at a dance held in Balta, ND. They were united in marriage on October 27, 1958 at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby, ND. On March 19, 1960, they welcomed their first born son, Charles. Followed by Curtis, Karla, Karen and Cory, all born in Rugby. They moved to the Heilman family farm in 1965, where they raised their family and made their living. The couple renewed their wedding vows and celebrated 50 years of marriage in May 2008 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta, ND. Agnes celebrated her 90th birthday at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd New Rockford, ND with all of her family, siblings and friends. She could not believe she made it to 90! The last two milestones she celebrated were her and John’s 65th wedding anniversary and welcoming another great grandson.

Agnes was a member of Christian Mothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Balta and a Homemakers Group with wonderful neighbors. She cherished family gatherings and babysitting her grandchildren. Also, enjoyed playing cards, dancing, listening to polka music, baking goodies, camping, trips to Arizona, and growing both flower and vegetable gardens. She really loved decorating for every holiday and was known to be very patriotic. She loved her family, lived a blessed life with her ever loving husband by her side. She leaves a great legacy with her family who will miss her dearly.

She is survived by her husband, John of Rugby; Children, Charles (Laurie) Heilman of Rugby, Curtis Heilman of Mandan and significant other (Tammy Landis of Driscoll), Karla Heilman (Danny Foss) of Devils Lake, Karen Heilman of Bismarck and Cory (Gail Kuhnhenn) Heilman of Rugby; 7 Grandchildren, Chris (Jenny) Heilman, Cody (Caroline) Heilman, Jordan (Courtney) Kuhnhenn, Tayton Erker, Haylee, Sierra and Gage Heilman; 8 Great Grandchildren, Jaxon, Kenley, Haven, Harper, Parker, Gunnar, Sophia and most recently on November 20th Trapper Heilman; Siblings, Lorraine Jelsing of Bismarck, Balzer Welk of Rugby and Charles (Bobbi) of Mandan; In-laws, Kathy Welk of Dickinson, Barbara Burgard of Rugby, Jerome (Judy) Heilman of Menomonee Falls, WI and MaryAnn Paxton of Fredericksburg, CO; many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Nick Welk, Marie Selensky, Richard Welk and 3 siblings in infancy (Theresa, Alice & Victoria) and special sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

And much gratitude to all those at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, whom cared for Agnes during her last year. We cannot thank you enough.

In lieu of flowers, family asks to make donations to the Alzheimer Foundation.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial to follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be at Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby on Thursday November 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary. Vigil prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. and sharing memories to follow. Visitation will continue on Friday from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home with no reviewal in the church.

Casket Bearers: Chuck, Curtis, Cory, Chris, Cody Heilman and Danny Foss

Honorary Bearers: Jordon Kuhnhenn, Tayton Erker, Haylee Heilman, Sierra Heilman, Gage Heilman, Jaxon Heilman, Kenley Heilman, Haven Heilman, Harper Heilman, Gunnar Heilman, Parker Heilman, Sophia Heilman and Trapper Heilman.

https://www.youtube.com/@andersonfuneralhomesrugbyt8563 

The funeral will be livestreamed on the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby and Towner YouTube Channel. We go live about 5 minutes prior to the time of the funeral on Friday.