Gerald Herman Heussman

Friday, July 8, 2005

Sept. 15, 1934-July 6, 2005

ATWOOD -- Gerald Herman Heussman, 70, died Wednesday (July 6, 2005), at his home in Atwood.

He was born Sept. 5, 1934, on the family homestead northwest of Atwood to Herman and Ida (Focke) Heussman. He attended grade school at Enterprise Rural School and graduated from Atwood High School in 1951.

He joined his father in the operation of the family farm, where he later raised his own family, before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. He served in the 10th Infantry Division, 87th Regiment and was discharged in 1958.

On April 4, 1959, he married Elaine Stute of Haigler at Zion Lutheran Church in Haigler.

He served on the building committees for both Grace Lutheran and Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church; and on the Rawlins County ASCS and the Atwood School Board. He was on the board of directors for the Farmer's State Bank of Ludell; Farmers State Bank & Trust; and Rawlins County Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Elaine Holle; a brother, John Heussman; nephew Johnny Heussman; and brother-in-law, Alvin Kasten.

Survivors include his wife, Elaine; two daughters, Jill and husband, Jay Harden, and Jan and husband, Sam Crouse; three sisters, Bernice Kasten of Flagler, Colo., Irene Schmidt and husband, Milt of St. Joseph, Mich., and Joan Friese and husband, Charles of Angola, Ind.; one brother-in-law, Bob Holle of Atwood; one sister-in-law, Jo Heussman of Tacoma, Wash.; and seven grandchildren.

Services will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Atwood with the Rev. Don White officiating. Interment will be at the Atwood Fairview Cemetery.

Visitation is today until 7 p.m., at Williams Funeral Home in Atwood and will continue Saturday at the church prior to services.

Memorials may be directed to the church or to the Atwood Second Century Fund and left at the funeral home.

Williams Funeral Home of Atwood is in charge of arrangements.