Laudie V. Kudrna, 82, Dickinson, ND, died Sunday, October 21, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Hospital & Health Center, Dickinson. Laudie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 25, 2007 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Jeff Zwack as the celebrant. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum, with military honors provided by the Veterans Drill Team. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be an Eagle’s ceremony followed by a South Heart Knights of Columbus Council #9043 rosary and parish vigil at 7 p.m., Wednesday at Ladbury Funeral Service with Deacon Ron Wolberg presiding.
Laudie V. Kudrna was born April 19, 1925 in Stark County of North Dakota, the son of Frank and Mary (Kostelecky) Kudrna. He was raised and educated in the South Heart area. Laudie served in the United States Army in the South Pacific from November 29, 1945 to his honorable discharge on February 19, 1947.
Laudie returned to South Heart where he married Dorothy Kostelecky on June 28, 1948. Together they farmed in the South Heart area until retiring and moving into Dickinson in 1985. While living in town he would make trips to the farm to help with what he could. Dorothy died June 12, 2001, and Laudie has been a resident of the Evergreen Inn for the past year.
Laudie served on several boards, including; St. Mary’s Catholic Church, South Heart, South Heart Hall, Farmers Union Oil, Fire Department, and as Clerk of the Ash Coulee School District. For several years served as a ASC Community Committeemen, drove bus for the South Heart district, was a life member and volunteer of the VFW, KC Club, Golden Age Eagle for 64 years, and belonged to the German/Hungarian Club and St. Anthony Club.
Laudie is survived by his three children, Roger (Noreen) Kudrna, Dickinson, Randy (Kaylene) Kudrna, South Heart, and Karla (Shaun) Roll, Westminster, CO; eight grandchildren, Julie Berry, Jill Davidson, Darren Kudrna, Michaela and Kyle Roll, Tyson, Laynee and Kenadee Kudrna; two great-grandchildren, Abby Berry and Baylee Davidson; five sisters, Margaret (Frank) Fendrich, Billings, MT, Dorothy (Andy) Ficek, Dickinson, Eleanor Badinger, Spokane, WA, Darlene (Bob) Betchner, Mandan, ND, and Delores (Darrold) Raab, Dickinson; four brothers, Donald (Millie) Kudrna, South Heart, Raymond (Shirley) Kudrna, Overland Park, KS, Wayne (Rosalie) Kudrna, Dickinson, and Bob (Jeanette) Kudrna, Hettinger, ND; two half-sisters, Rose Privratsky and Minnie Prikl, Dickinson; one half-brother, Eddie Kudrna, Dickinson; two sisters-in-law, Josephine Kudrna, Phoenix, AZ, and Mabel Kudrna, Casper, WY; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Laudie was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; daughter, Kaye Ann; son, Rodney; granddaughter, Leiken Kaye Kudrna; one brother, Gilbert; half-sister, Mary Kostelecky; half-brothers, Vince, Frank and Adolph; and two infant brothers, Robert and William.
