1929
Colleen
2015
Colleen Heid
February 5, 1929 — December 25, 2015
A. Colleen (Knudson) Heid, age 86, passed away on December 25, 2015 at Elm Crest Manor in New Salem, ND.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
Colleen was born on February 5, 1929. Her passing was almost exactly four years after the death of her husband Willie and after 57 years together. She lost her fight against diabetes and dementia that debilitated her for many years, but was, we are sure, welcome to celebrate Jesus' birthday and to see all the family members she was missing for so long.
Colleen was raised on her parents' farm outside of Almont, ND, with sisters Norida, Joan, and Ramona, and brother, Clifford. There she learned a love of gardening, horse-back riding, and raising animals. Her mother, Roxie, taught her home-making skills, including cooking, canning, sewing, and crafting, and also music appreciation.
Colleen graduated early so she could attend Jamestown College and get her teaching certification. She loved being a teacher in Sentinel Butte, Glen Ullin, and New Salem for the seven years in which she influenced a large number of young people. Many of her students kept in touch and spoke of her often throughout the years.
While a teacher, she met Wilbert "Willie" Heid--the love of her life--again. He'd been from a rival high school in the past, but he won her over with their shared interests, friends, and strength of family. They married on July 2, 1954, at Peace Church in New Salem. While he worked at the Co-op gas station, she remained home to raise their five children--James, Jeffrey, Jeri, Joel, and Julie.
Her talents and skills won awards and kept her family in awe. An artist in painting, ceramics, crafting, sewing, stenciling, and sign-making, Colleen entered fair competitions and brought in extra money. Her and Willie's interests in antiques, Western art, rodeos, and collecting taught their kids appreciation for museums, traditions, and road trips.
A fair task-master and born teacher, her children had a home open to the neighborhood with a huge garden, fun-filled yard, and an in-area barnyard (as well as farm land) where they learned responsibility, outdoor activities, and sharing. The values instilled surrounded animal care, pets, farming, music, reading, education, and church commitments. As the kids grew up, Colleen worked in retail at the Co-op Store for years--mostly in the gifts and general merchandise department. And, then, she worked at Elm Crest Manor as a dietary aide.
She was active in the church and Women's Guild, was a 4-H leader, and was a volunteer in the community especially with Meals on Wheels, House of Manna, and Elm Crest activities.
Colleen was most happy with family and friends--hostessing picnics, barbecues. holiday celebrations, card parties, and game nights. She was creative in crafts and projects for a host of family members. Her skills at quilting, sewing, crafting, and painting made many appreciative of her gifts and wood-working projects with Willie. She loved their bird-watching, spontaneous excursions, rummage sales, auction sales, and restaurant-going.
Surviving their beloved mother are James "Jim" Heid and wife DeEtta of Bismarck; Jeri Dunn of Hettinger; Joel Heid and wife Julie of Caney, Kansas; and Julie Smith and husband Steve of Valrico, Florida. Her grandchildren include Allyson Leach-Heid and husband Zeke Ricci, Jameson Heid, Colin Dunn, Cassidy Heid, Caleb Smith, Braden Heid, Chandler Heid, Cadet Heid; great-grandson William and another great grandchild due in January. Colleen was also aunt to many nieces and nephews and a friend to so many.
Preceding her in death were her parents Roxie and Carl O. Knudson, and in-laws Bill and Elsie Heid; husband Wilbert; son Jeffrey; brothers-in-law Oliver Fuchs, Duane Johnson and Ben Kottsick; brother Clifford Knudson; sisters-in-law Sandra Heid, Anna Kottsick, and Mildred Conitz; and, nieces Marcy Johnson, Heather Nelsen, and Kylee Elovitz.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation has taken place.
Colleen was born on February 5, 1929. Her passing was almost exactly four years after the death of her husband Willie and after 57 years together. She lost her fight against diabetes and dementia that debilitated her for many years, but was, we are sure, welcome to celebrate Jesus' birthday and to see all the family members she was missing for so long.
Colleen was raised on her parents' farm outside of Almont, ND, with sisters Norida, Joan, and Ramona, and brother, Clifford. There she learned a love of gardening, horse-back riding, and raising animals. Her mother, Roxie, taught her home-making skills, including cooking, canning, sewing, and crafting, and also music appreciation.
Colleen graduated early so she could attend Jamestown College and get her teaching certification. She loved being a teacher in Sentinel Butte, Glen Ullin, and New Salem for the seven years in which she influenced a large number of young people. Many of her students kept in touch and spoke of her often throughout the years.
While a teacher, she met Wilbert "Willie" Heid--the love of her life--again. He'd been from a rival high school in the past, but he won her over with their shared interests, friends, and strength of family. They married on July 2, 1954, at Peace Church in New Salem. While he worked at the Co-op gas station, she remained home to raise their five children--James, Jeffrey, Jeri, Joel, and Julie.
Her talents and skills won awards and kept her family in awe. An artist in painting, ceramics, crafting, sewing, stenciling, and sign-making, Colleen entered fair competitions and brought in extra money. Her and Willie's interests in antiques, Western art, rodeos, and collecting taught their kids appreciation for museums, traditions, and road trips.
A fair task-master and born teacher, her children had a home open to the neighborhood with a huge garden, fun-filled yard, and an in-area barnyard (as well as farm land) where they learned responsibility, outdoor activities, and sharing. The values instilled surrounded animal care, pets, farming, music, reading, education, and church commitments. As the kids grew up, Colleen worked in retail at the Co-op Store for years--mostly in the gifts and general merchandise department. And, then, she worked at Elm Crest Manor as a dietary aide.
She was active in the church and Women's Guild, was a 4-H leader, and was a volunteer in the community especially with Meals on Wheels, House of Manna, and Elm Crest activities.
Colleen was most happy with family and friends--hostessing picnics, barbecues. holiday celebrations, card parties, and game nights. She was creative in crafts and projects for a host of family members. Her skills at quilting, sewing, crafting, and painting made many appreciative of her gifts and wood-working projects with Willie. She loved their bird-watching, spontaneous excursions, rummage sales, auction sales, and restaurant-going.
Surviving their beloved mother are James "Jim" Heid and wife DeEtta of Bismarck; Jeri Dunn of Hettinger; Joel Heid and wife Julie of Caney, Kansas; and Julie Smith and husband Steve of Valrico, Florida. Her grandchildren include Allyson Leach-Heid and husband Zeke Ricci, Jameson Heid, Colin Dunn, Cassidy Heid, Caleb Smith, Braden Heid, Chandler Heid, Cadet Heid; great-grandson William and another great grandchild due in January. Colleen was also aunt to many nieces and nephews and a friend to so many.
Preceding her in death were her parents Roxie and Carl O. Knudson, and in-laws Bill and Elsie Heid; husband Wilbert; son Jeffrey; brothers-in-law Oliver Fuchs, Duane Johnson and Ben Kottsick; brother Clifford Knudson; sisters-in-law Sandra Heid, Anna Kottsick, and Mildred Conitz; and, nieces Marcy Johnson, Heather Nelsen, and Kylee Elovitz.
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