13 Apr Victor Heilman

Victor Heilman, 95, of Bismarck, ND, was welcomed into his eternal home on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bismarck, ND with Rev. Joshua Ehli as celebrant.  Burial will take place following the service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Bismarck.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Bismarck Funeral Home, with a Rosary and Vigil service at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation will continue at the church one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Victor was born in Hague, ND on October 2, 1927, to Jacob and Eva (Braunagel) Heilman.  He was raised on a farm near Hague, until the family moved to Yakima, WA when he was a teenager.  In 1949, he met the love of his life, Leonita Heier, while she was visiting her sister in Yakima, and they were married in May 1950 in Hague, ND.

Victor worked for many years for James J. Igoe and Sons, and continued in the construction field until he retired from Capital City Construction in 1990. His retirement allowed him to help Grandma babysit many of the grandkids during the day – something that brought him immense joy and happiness.

Victor’s lifelong hobby was wood working and building furniture.  He also enjoyed fishing and camping on the weekends.  After his retirement he joined a bowling league and enjoyed bowling for many years – until he quit to care for Leonita when she fell ill.  From that point on Victor rarely left Leonita’s side – caring for her day and night. During her many hospital stays, Victor spent every night by her bedside. He was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. One of the final statements Victor made was how much he missed his Cathedral.  Victor’s Catholic faith got him through many trials and brought him much comfort throughout his life. He attended daily mass each morning and then would visit Leonita’s gravesite to pray the Rosary for her.  His love of praying the Rosary (many times several each day) stayed with him until his final days.

Victor cherished the times he spent with his family, especially in his later years.  He lived for the days when his grandchildren and great grandchildren would visit, and was always waiting for the next visit. He will be dearly missed by each one of them.

Victor will be deeply missed by his children, Allan (Susan) Heilman, Gilberta (Darrell) Holzer, Dean (Tracy) Heilman, Dorothy (Don) Vetter, Myron (Lisa) Heilman, and Calvin (Teresa) Heilman, all of Bismarck; his grandchildren Kelly, Jesse, Jackie, Sara, Trevor, Paul, Jeremy, Seth, Rebecca, Christopher, Jordan, Emilee, Cole, and Lexi. He will also be missed by his great grandchildren, Anika, Taylor, Christian, Peyton, Benjamin, Conor, Leon, Corbin, Cordell, Coyer, Stella, Sturgill, Smith, Collins and Casen. He is survived by one sister, Audrey.

He is preceded in death by Leonita, his wife of 63 years; his sons Leon, Bill, and Mike; his parents, his brothers and sisters, and numerous in-laws.

Victor’s family would like to thank Dr. John Erickstad and Colette for the many years of wonderful medical care for both our parents throughout their lives.

Please click the link below to watch the livestream of Victor’s service.

www.cathedralparish.com/mass-livestream