Laudie V. Ficek, 92, Dickinson, died Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at CHI St. Alexius, Dickinson. A Liturgy of Word Service will be 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at Ladbury Funeral Service with Deacon Al Schwindt presiding. Cremation will follow and the inurnment will take place at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Military Honors will be provided by members of the Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Visitation will be one hour prior to services.
Laudie was born July 29, 1925 on the family farm seven miles west of New Hradec, the son of James and Anne (Kostelecky) Ficek. He graduated from a rural community school in New Hradec, seven miles from the family farm. Laudie left the farm to fight in World War II, enlisting in the Navy from 1943 to 1946. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard the USS Eastland. Upon an honorable discharge from the military, Laudie returned to Dickinson where he drove truck hauling cattle, and driving a delivery route for Sweetheart Bakery.
Laudie was united in marriage to Margaret Hatzenbuhler on November 9, 1948 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson. He, along with his son Gene started Ficek Wrecker Service in 1975. Laudie and Gene have operated the towing service for 43 years. The two words that best describe Laudie are hard worker. He was a tough old bird. Laudie’s motto was “perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did”.
He especially enjoyed watching old time Polka shows, including Big Joe, Molly B., and Polka Time Again, he never missed a show.
Laudie and Margaret enjoyed dancing to Polkas and Waltzes, traveling to South Dakota and Nebraska, frequently for Czech Days. Good times and many happy memories remain from these trips. He was an avid baseball fan, watching two to three games a day. His favorite teams were the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. Laudie never missed a farm tractor auction sale on Saturday mornings (Classic Tractor Fever). Wildlife shows and RFD-TV were his favorite TV channels.
Laudie was survived by his wife, Margaret; three sons, Ron Ficek, Terry (LaVonne Mayer) Ficek and Gene Ficek, all of Dickinson; siblings, Bob Ficek, Little Falls, Minn., Agnes Ehli, Dumas, Texas, and Edwin Ficek, Dickinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Bob Ficek; and sisters, Lillian Hatzenbuhler, Eleanore Richards, and Dorothy Dorval.
