Lawrence "Larry" T. Heidt

Lawrence T. (Larry) Heidt, 90, was born in Dickinson, North Dakota and passed away peacefully on September 25, 2017 at the Baptist Health Care Center in Bismarck. Visitation will be held at Parkway Funeral Service in Bismarck on Sunday, October 1 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM, with a vigil service at 4:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on Monday, October 2 at 12:30 PM with burial to follow at the ND Veterans’ Cemetery.Larry grew up on the family farm near New England with his eight siblings. After a short stint in the Merchant Marines, he served in the U.S. Air Force during the post-WWII occupation as a photographer. When he returned from Europe, Larry worked on the railroad in Montana before coming back to South Heart to operate the family’s bar.Larry’s life changed when Paul and Betty introduced him to Helen Gietzen and a blind date blossomed into a 59-year marriage. Larry married Helen on October 26, 1957 at St. Wenceslaus Church in Dickinson. After several years, they bought an old house in Dickinson which the two of them completely gutted and remodeled. This was the home in which Helen & Larry raised their four children. Many years later they completed another “extreme makeover” on a home on the shores of Lake Patterson, which they loved. Larry and Helen were a model of faithful marriage.Hard work and self-sacrifice were two hallmarks of Larry’s life. He worked two or three jobs while the kids were growing up so their mother could care for them at home. Larry’s 31-year career as a rural mail carrier required him to drive many miles over dusty, muddy, or snowy roads six days per week, but he made many friends who appreciated his faithful service and were there to help him when he had car trouble or got stuck. In addition to the mail route, Larry worked as a TV control board operator and broadcast engineer at KDIX. Because of his knowledge and experience, he was asked to help launch the new KQCD-TV station in Dickinson. Larry and Helen also started a beekeeping operation and produced top-quality sweet clover and alfalfa honey. Heidt’s Beekeeping was truly a family project in which everyone had a job to do. Through this experience, the kids learned not only how honey is produced, but how to work hard, pay attention to detail, and do their very best. After his retirement from broadcasting, Larry worked as a bus driver and custodian for Head Start, where he loved the children and staff, and they loved him.Family was Larry’s top priority. He and Helen regularly took their kids on vacation at a cabin in Minnesota or just for a day of fishing at a local lake. Many memorable trips were taken with a pop-up camper that was so small, every square inch of bed and floor space were used for sleeping. Larry taught his kids how to ride bike, ice skate, hunt, and fish. Most importantly, he taught them honesty, generosity, friendliness, a sense of humor, and the power of a positive attitude. Although money was tight, he and Helen sacrificed to provide as many opportunities as possible for their children. They were faithful attendees at games, concerts, and plays. Larry was a loving grandpa and proud great-grandpa. He spent much time providing his young granddaughters with a father figure after their dad passed away.Larry and Helen were inseparable after retirement and as Helen experienced health challenges, Larry dedicated himself to her care. After she passed away, Larry’s loyal dog Charlie was his constant companion but couldn’t fill the void. Larry’s heart was broken and he began to have more health challenges of his own. He fell and fractured his hip in early August, which set in motion a series of complications from which he could not recover, although he tried valiantly. Always a gentleman, Larry was cooperative and cheerful during his confinement. His caregivers often commented about how much they enjoyed him, especially his smiles and winks.Larry is survived by his children: Norm Heidt, Sue (Pat) Forster and Theresa Simon, and daughter-in-law Bonny Heidt; his grandchildren: Paul (Chelsea) Forster, Dave (Samantha) Forster, Sarah Simon, and Samantha Simon; great-grandchildren: Clare, Peter, Rose, and Lucy; and his siblings: Paul (Betty) Heidt, Jennie Vida, and Clara Wendel. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Emma Heidt, wife Helen, son Jeff Heidt, son-in-law Frank Simon, and siblings Fred, Tony, John, Katherine, and Elaine. Larry’s family would like to thank everyone who visited and supported Larry as his health declined. We are especially grateful to the staff members at Primrose and the Baptist Health Care Center who cared for him with dignity and love. Your kindness will never be forgotten.