Rudy B. Wilhelmi

Rudy B. Wilhelmi, 88 of Devils Lake, formerly of Starkweather, ND died on Tuesday morning, November 23, 2004 at Mercy Hospital, Devils Lake. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 26, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake. Fr. Joseph Christensen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in the Assumption of Mary Catholic Cemetery, rural Starkweather. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home Chapel, Devils Lake on Thursday, November 25, 2004 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Friday visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Serving as Pallbearers will be Rudy’s Grandchildren Rudy B. Wilhelmi was born on April 11, 1916 in rural Loma, ND, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Schmidt) Wilhelmi. In 1930, the family moved to the Edwin Traynor farm, east of Starkweather. Rudy graduated from Loma High School in 1932. After graduation he farmed with his Dad. On June 11, 1940, Rudy was united in marriage to Alvina Gette at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, rural Crary. They established their home in the farm north of Starkweather where they lived, farmed and raised their family through the years. Alvina died on November 11, 1983. Rudy then moved to Devils Lake and continued to make this his home. After retiring from farming, Rudy and Alvina spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona. Rudy was a very active member of the Assumption of Mary Catholic Church in Starkweather and also served as a Trustee. He was a member and past president of the Starkweather School Board and was very instrumental in the building of the new Starkweather School. He served as the Township Assessor and also as a Board member and Secretary of the St. Joe Elevator. Rudy has been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1983 and is a life-time member of the Devils Lake Elks Lodge. Rudy’s pastime was work. He loved to work. He would leave his own work undone to help out family and friends. The joys of his life were his children and grandchildren and he was always ready to baby-sit the grandchildren whenever he was asked. Rudy is survived by his Daughter and Son-In-Law: LuAnn and Dr. Robert Honkola, Bismarck, ND Sons and Daughters-In-Law: Ken and Melody Wilhelmi, Devils Lake Gerald and Gail Wilhelmi, Delaware, Ohio Eugene Wilhelmi, Fargo Grandchildren:Suzi (Jim) Hamel, Dr. Amy (Mike) Criege and Jill (Joe) Karlgaard; Paul Wilhelmi and Jared Wilhelmi; Lydia (Mark) Chartre, Phillip Wilhelmi, twins, Anna and Amber Wilhelmi; Bethany Wilhelmi and Alex Wilhelmi; Max Wilhelmi, Breanna Wilhelmi and Samantha Wilhelmi. Great Grandchildren: Ben, Phillip and Jacob Hamel Sister: Leona Berg and her husband, Arnold, Mandan, ND Rudy was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alvina; daughter-in-law, Kathi; sisters, Mary Dietz and Agnes Burleson; brothers, Joseph, Raymond, Louis, Leo and Fr. Richard Wilhelmi and a brother in infancy.