Katy Hirsch

Funeral Mass for Catherine "Katy" Hirsch, 97, of Dickinson, will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 21, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dickinson with Father Justin Waltz celebrating.  Burial will take place at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Amidon.

Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at Stevenson Funeral Home with rosary and vigil beginning at 6:00 p.m.

On July 13, 2022, Jesus took our mother’s hand and welcomed her home.

Catherine (Katy) Dukart Olheiser Hirsch was born September 24th, 1924 in Dickinson, ND to John L. and Elizabeth (Urlacher) Dukart. Katy was the oldest of 6 children. Katy helped out on the family farm where she grew up and attended country school and St. Pius School in Schefield, ND until completing the 8th grade. Many years later Katy would earn her high school GED at the age of 52, which was an important personal goal of hers. Katy married Michael (Mike) Olheiser in 1945 at St. Pius church in Schefield. Their first home was in Little Rock, AR where Mike was stationed in the Army. In 1947 they started farming a half section of land northeast of Amidon, ND where they eventually built a house, bought more land, and raised a family of eight children. Together they tended to dairy cows, sheep, and hogs. Katy also enjoyed caring for chickens, geese, and a large garden. When time allowed, they would get together with friends to play cards or go dancing. Mike and Katy retired there on the farm, and after almost 35 years together, Mike passed away in 1980.

Katy later married Rudolf (Rudy) Hirsch at St. Mary's Church in New England, ND and soon after moved to Dickinson, ND. Katy was a member of St. Joseph’s Church, St. Anne Altar Society, Christian Mothers, and the Leap Year homemakers club. Together, Katy and Rudy enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards, dancing, and visiting with neighbors. They also greatly enjoyed their bonus sons and daughters, whom neither ever thought of as step-children, and all those grandchildren. They had nearly 25 years together before Rudy passed away in 2005. 

Katy remained in their home and continued to enjoy visiting with neighbors, playing cards, playing the organ, daily exercise, tending to her beautiful flower garden, praying the rosary, and cleaning house. In April of 2018 Katy moved to Evergreen Assisted Living where she especially enjoyed the activities, exercise, weekly mass, and the general socializing. Katy attributed her longevity to exercise, dancing, praying the rosary, and daily sips of pickle juice. Throughout every stage of her life, the center of Katy’s attention was on God and her family.

Katy is survived by her brother, Jerome (Darlene) Dukart of Dickinson, ND; six children, Eugene (Brenda) Olheiser of Billings MT, Doris (Larry) Davison of Gallipolis, OH, Darlene (Jerry) Brinster of Glendive, MT, Bert (Nancy) Olheiser of Damascus, OR, Wayne (Simone) Olheiser of Dickinson, Laverne (Ryan) Erickson of New England, ND; three bonus daughters, Eva Howe of Lebanon, OR, Marie (Roger) Maulding of Oregon City, OR, Vi (Bernie) Schaaf of Del Rio, TX; 26 grandchildren, Matthew, Janet, Glenn, and Josh Olheiser, Amy Berry, Keith, Kurt, Mark, Jeff, Frank, and Scott Davison, Kristie Galindo, Tina and Shannon Brinster, Chad and Todd Erickson, Trisha VanVoorhis, Justin Hirsch, Colin and Chris Maulding, Ashley McMillan, Ryan Schaaf, Celena Delano, Keith Smith, Melissa Castle, and Christine Falconer; and numerous great grandkids and great great grandkids.

Katy was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands; two sons, Richard and Arnold; brothers, Dominic (infant) and Phillip Dukart; sisters, Helen Fisher and Julieanna Heidt; bonus son, Herbert Hirsch; bonus son-in-law, Mike Howe; grandson, Gary Howe; and great-granddaughter, Cadence Erickson.

“Well done, good and faithful servant” - Matthew 25:23