Ludwig L.J. "Louie" Foertsch
Vertin-Munson Funeral Home
1-701-642-4000
Ludwig (L.J.) "Louie" Foertsch, 90, Hankinson, ND, formerly of Lidgerwood and Wyndmere, ND, died Saturday, January 19, 2008, at St. Gerard's Community Nursing Home, Hankinson, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, 11:00 am at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Lidgerwood, ND. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5 PM to 7 PM with a 7 PM prayer vigil at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton. Interment will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Wyndmere, ND. Military Honors conducted by Wyndmere American Legion Brown-Nelson Post No. 153 Sons of American Legion. Vertin-Munson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Ludwig Joseph Foertsch was born to John and Clara (Pausch) Foertsch on September 12, 1917 at Douglas, ND. He retired as a farmer and from the US Post office as rural mail carrier. He was a life Member of the American Legion at Wyndmere and VFW of Barney, ND.
Louie married Ardella Reese on February 21, 1939. She passed away on July 17, 1990. They farmed in the Wyndmere area for their entire married life. Louie married Gretchen Podliska on September 12, 1992 at Lidgerwood, ND where they resided until Louie entered St. Gerard?s Home in April of 2007.
Louie served with the US Navy during WWII aboard the USS Belleau Wood from 1944-1946. He did carpentry work and had a woodworking shop in Lidgerwood where he made many craft items for the members of the family. His "Welcome" signs can be found on nearly every doorstep of a "Foertsch" family home. All grandchildren and the great grandchildren were made a coat tree in either pink or blue and many of these same children spend time on their rocking horses or oak rocking chairs that Grandpa made for them.
Louie is survived by his wife Gretchen, Lidgerwood, ND; seven children: Rose Ann (Donald) Blazek of Wyndmere; Judy (Clay) Hegseth of Sioux Falls, SD; Ken (Karen) Foertsch of Medical Lake, WA; Dennis (Dennise) Foertsch of Wyndmere; Susan Davis of Wahpeton; Rick (Heidi) Foertsch of Wyndmere; and Kris Foertsch of Breckenridge; three step-children: Evonne Kelly of Lidgerwood; Sandy (Keith) Curran of Sisseton, SD; and Ken (Jolene) Podliska of Lidgerwood; his brother, Melvin (Beatrice) Foertsch of , MN; and his sisters: Eleanor Durkee of Breckenridge, MN; Isabella Howe of Laguna Woods, CA; and Mary Ann Blazek of West Fargo, ND; 31 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; two sisters-in-law, Doris Riemann, Hankinson, ND; and Lavonne (Norman) Alme of Milnor, ND; two brothers-in-law, Bill (Doris) Reese of Wyndmere; and Leon Westhoff Sr., of Perham, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ardella, an infant daughter, Mary Theresa, two brothers, Joseph and Raymond Foertsch, his sister Hildegard Lunde; and his step son-in-law, Jerry Kelly.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to St. Gerard?s Nursing Home at Hankinson or a charity of your choice.