Armin Heidt

Armin W. Heidt, 83, Bismarck, formerly of Wing, died October 10, 2006, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM Friday at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Wing, with Rev. Muriel Lippert officiating. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Home in Bismarck. Burial will be at the Wing cemetery. Armin was born on April 1, 1923, at Arena, ND, the son of Ottilia Binder and Fred Heidt. He attended grade school in Arena and graduated from Tuttle High School. On June 10, 1945, Armin and Betty Lou Virginia Kettleson were married in Arena, ND. They lived on the family farm for two years and then moved to the Barkman farm until moving to Wing in 1948 where he worked at Lein's Mercantile for 5 years. He then purchased Mac's store in Wing, which he operated as Heidt's Grocery for seven years. The store was torn down and a bowling alley was built. The bowling alley was a partnership with Francis Dalbec for two years and later for eight years with John Fitzgerald. During the partnership Armin started selling Farmer's Union insurance and was an agent for 29 years. He also started planting trees for Burleigh County Soil Conservation, doing custom hay baling, carpentry, built steel grain bins and had many other jobs. In addition, he served as a North Dakota delegate to the Cured Cancer Patient Congress in Washington, D. C. and a modern day "Paul Revere" visiting the larger cities in North Dakota and Wing by helicopter. Armin was always a farmer at heart and he maintained a farm where he raised Shetland ponies, sheep, 4-H livestock, mules, and numerous other animals. He drove a covered wagon in many celebrations and parades. Armin was involved in many community functions. Among them were Lions Club 50 yr. charter member, school board president and member, church board, local Farmer's Union, Wing Rodeo and Wing Community Days Association. One of his favorite parts in the Lions club was being the tail twister. As a part of that he enjoyed sharing the many stories that he told to many people besides the Lions. Thus he was known as the "Joker" to many people as indicated by his book, Memories by the Joker. Armin's family was his "pride and joy" and his four grandchildren - Jon, Nathan, Brandon, Jade- and his great- grandchild, Felicity - were the icing on the cake!! He enjoyed getting to as many of their functions as possible. Armin is survived by his wife, Betty Lou of Bismarck, ND; his four sons, Ricky Sherryl of Bismarck, ND, Larry Mary Ann of Aberdeen, SD, Jackie of Wing, ND, and Kirby Kayde of Des Moines, IA; his sister, Bertha Ochsner Ted, deceased of Tuttle, ND; and his brother, Dallas Elaine of McMinnville, OR. Armin is preceded in death by his mother, Ottilia; his stepmother, Lydia; his father, Fred; and infant brother, Edwin. Armin's sense of humor and caring nature will be remembered and missed by many! The family requests that memorials be sent to the Alzheimer's Unit at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck.

Armin Heidt

April 1, 1923 - October 10, 2006