Donald Michael Ludewig
Donald M. Ludewig, age 82, of Sleepy Eye died on Dec. 25, 2020, at his home in Sleepy Eye.
Visitation will be on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye in the social hall and will continue on Saturday from 9 until 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye in the north entry. All COVID-19 guidelines will be followed, including the use of masks and social distancing.
Service will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church-Sleepy Eye, on Saturday, Jan. 2, at 10 a.m.
The clergy will be Father Mark Steffl. Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sleepy Eye.
The funeral will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://www.facebook.com/stmarysleepyeye/videos
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to; St. Mary’s Church and School, Divine Providence Community Home or Brown County Hospice.
Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Don was born June 20, 1938 in Sleepy Eye, the son of Vetalis and Emma (Treml) Ludewig. He attended school in Mulligan Township. He married Kathleen Helget on September 8, 1959, at the Church of the Japanese Martyrs in Leavenworth. Don and Kathy raised 7 children and farmed near Sleepy Eye. His true passion was raising registered Holstein cattle and participating with his children in dairy shows. After farming Don worked as a sales representative at Alta Genetics, until his retirement. Don was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he was a lecturer, Eucharistic minister, led the Rosary before Sunday masses, and attended weekly adoration. Don lived his Faith daily. He was president of the St. Mary’s School board, as well as the Catholic Aid Association. He also served as president of the Brown County Holstein Association and was chairman of the MN State Junior Holstein Association. He loved spending time outdoors – gardening, fishing, golfing, watching kids/grandkids play sports, as well as cheering on MN Twins, Vikings and Gophers. He enjoyed card and board games with family and friends. Fittingly, God called Don Home on his favorite day of the year. He loved the Christmas season – decorating the house with lights and celebrating with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Kathleen, of Sleepy Eye; children, Loren (Jeanne) Ludewig of Sleepy Eye, Duane (Karen) Ludewig of Owatonna, Brad (Denise) Ludewig of Sleepy Eye, Neil (Bobbi) Ludewig of Hutchinson, Amy (Paul) Albrecht of Stewart, Galen (Cindy) Ludewig of Hutchinson, and Jennifer (Chris) Asche of Brooklyn Park; grandchildren, Andrew, Emily, Nicholas, and Michael Ludewig, Jordan Ludewig and Danielle Sommerfeldt, Kyle, Scott and Sarah Ludewig, Brittany Radtke, Jaden and Brennen Albrecht, Ashley Weckman and Brandon Ludewig, Olivia, Gavin, and Nolan Asche and 6 great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty (Duane) Doran, Linda (Lester) Braulick; sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Bernice Ludewig, Donna Ludewig, Linda Helget, Luella Ricke, Whitey Helget, Lanette (Bill) Hanson, Wes (Laurie) Helget, Donna (Wally) Beranek, Dan (Sue) Helget, Harlan (Nita) Helget, Lowell (Connie) Helget, Bob (Lori) Helget, Rolene (Mark) Fromm, Janice (Jon) Schauman, Brian (Janee) Helget, Betsy (Randy) Jensen & many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Leo and Robert; infant sister, Margruite; in-laws Edwin and Alice Helget, Eldon Helget, and Tom Ricke.
