Claude L. Obrigewitch, 80, formerly of Belfield, died Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Sanford Medical Center Fargo. Claude’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 15, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Keith Streifel as the celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Military Honors will be provided by the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday at Ladbury Funeral Service with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Al Schwindt presiding.
Claude was born May 12, 1939 at Belfield, the son of Anton and Bertha (Schaeffer) Obrigewitch. He was raised and educated in the Belfield area, having graduated from Belfield High School. Claude served honorably in the United States Army from January 1962 to December 1963 where he served as a combat medic.
Claude was united in marriage to Ruth Kessel on November 26, 1966 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, Belfield and to this union four children were born, Jesse, Barry, Scott and Holly. He attended and received a license from barber college in Fargo. They returned to Belfield and he began a career in the construction business where he operated heavy equipment, most recently with Billings County, retiring in 2006. During this time, he had built and maintained hundreds of miles of roads in Billings County.
He belonged to the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, the NRA and the VFW. He enjoyed playing pinochle, fishing, camping, bird watching and especially spending time with his grandkids.
Claude is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, Jesse (Manette), Hettinger, Barry (Nancy), Monahans, Texas, Scott (Naomi), Dickinson and Holly (Jayme) Praus, Dickinson; 11 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; siblings, Charlotte Hlebechuk, Maurice (Bernette), Bertram, Val (Carol), Rose, Nita (Curt) Talkington, Tony, Tim and Terry; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Gary, Cliff and Gloria Weber; in-laws, Albert Hlebechuk, Cecilia, Karen, Gertie and Jerry Weber.
