George Hegge

Funeral services for Dr. George Hegge, 84, of Medora, ND will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at the Medora Community Center. Burial will take place in the Medora Community Cemetery.


Family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 30, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson.


George passed away in El Paso, Texas, surrounded by his loving family early Tuesday morning, October 17th, 2017.


George was born March 26, 1933 near Bonetrail, ND to John and Hilma Hegge. He grew up on the family farm, attended local schools nearby, and graduated from Williston High School. He was a gypsy student, studying at the University of Texas at Austin, UND in Grand Forks, and the Colorado School of Mines before transferring to the University of Minnesota where he graduated with a doctorate into the field of dentistry. He married Gloria Hagen in 1956, they had four children together.


In 1958, he set up his dental practice in Williston, ND. During the late 60’s, George began raising cattle in addition to his dental practice. In the late 70’s, he purchased a ranch near Marmarth, ND where he expanded his herd and moved his dental practice. His patients followed him wherever he moved, such was their loyalty. He retired from dentistry after 40 years of practice.


In 1994, he met his wife to be, Sydney Connell; they married June 8, 1996 in a horseback ceremony at the ranch. George sold his ranch and moved in with Sydney at her ranch where they raised long horns for many years. The brandings every spring were traditional and full of great food that George cooked alongside his chuck wagon. George and Sydney were active in the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora and their local church. George purchased a winter home in Capitan, NM in 2016 where they quickly made many good friends.


George was known for his corny sense of humor and love of very weak coffee. He was the patriarch of his family, always there to listen and give a hug to friends and family. He dearly loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


George is survived by his wife, Sydney Hegge of Medora, ND; his three children, Kimberly Hegge (Steve Midgett) of Briarcliff, TX, Mari Stewart (Ken) of Alpine, WY, and Johnathan Hegge (Cara) of Austin, TX; grandchildren Cameron Bjelkevig (Mi) of Albuquerque, NM, Keisia Maher of Copperas Cove, TX, Kristine Stewart of Abu Dhabi, Justin Stewart of Los Angeles, CA, Colin Powers of Copperas Cove, TX, and Jack Hegge of Austin, TX; great-grandchildren Nathan Abrahamson of Albuquerque, NM, Mia Maher and Colby Maher of Columbia, LA, Theodore Bjelkevig of Albuquerque, NM; two sisters, Myrtle Fitzpatrick of Spokane, WA and Maybelle Braaten of Ft. Morgan, CO. George also leaves behind extended family from his marriage to Sydney, including step-daughters, Tina Pelissier (Jim) of Boulder City, NV, Sherri Anderson (Steve) of Mesa, AZ; and step-granddaughters Erica Altenberg (Mike), Tiffany Lee (Jason), and Vanessa Ross.


He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joe Hegge, Hjalmer Hegge, John Hegge and Rueben Hegge; sisters, Ann Thome, Evie Bryn, Helen Baker, and Ruth Fay; and son, Kirk Hegge.


George will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all that knew and loved him. He was a truly unique and wonderful man.


Hegge George


Burial Date: October 31, 2017
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 31, 2017, Medora Community Center, Medora, ND.
Family Receiving Friends: 5:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 30, 2017, Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND.