Joseph Hild

Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph L. Hild, 81, formerly of Medora is Wednesday, July 9, 2003, 10:00 a. m. at the Medora Community Center with Father Shannon Lucht, celebrating. Interment will follow at Medora Cemetery in Medora. Visitation is Tuesday from 12:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. at Stevenson-Mischel-Olson Chapel followed by a Rosary and Vigil at 7:00 p. m. led by Deacon Al Hibl. Joe passed away on July 5, 2003 at St. Benedict?s Health Center, Dickinson. He was born in Steele, ND on January 29, 1922, the son of Joe W. and Lena Hild. He joined one sister and one brother. Joe received both his elementary and high school education at the Steele Public School, graduating in 1940. Until 1944 he helped his father on the farm. In December of 1944 Joe moved to Sentinel Butte, ND to get started in the ranching business. He worked for Art Brown, Emil Kunick and Ray Kukowski, owners of the N. O. L. From 1945 until 1949 he worked for Al Wosepka, then for Les Connell. On May 3, 1949, Joe started working for Ed Harding on the Maltese Cross Ranch. He met Elizabeth (Betty) Herauf at a Schnell Rodeo in Dickinson and they were married a year later on September 8, 1956. They bought the Maltese Cross Ranch, which once belonged to Theodore Roosevelt from Mr. and Mrs. Ed Harding in 1960. Joe?s favorite pastime was sharing his knowledge of Theodore Roosevelt. As curious tourist would drive to see the first ranch Theodore Roosevelt lived on, Joe greeted them as they drove into the yard. Twenty-six states, England and Canada are represented in the ranch guest book. The wealth of information and books about Theodore Roosevelt is on display at the Roosevelt Masonic Lodge in Belfield. In 1982, Joe and Betty moved to Belfield. Betty passed away August 25, 1991. Joe is survived by his daughter Betty Jo (Larry) Ridl, Belfield, two sons, John (Becky) Hild, Medora, and Robert Hild, Oklahoma City, OK; a sister, Alice DeWitz, Steele, ND; two grandchildren, Jamison S. and Adam Joseph (A. J. ); and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, wife and a brother preceded him in death.


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Burial Date: July 9, 2003
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Wednesday, Medora Community Cente