Ida Kautzman

Ida Kautzman, 88, longtime resident of New Salem, ND, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025, in Mandan, ND, with her loving family by her side.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 17, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan with Father Josh Waltz as celebrant. Burial will follow the luncheon and be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 PM.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Thursday, with a 6:00 PM rosary/parish vigil at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan.

Ida was born June 6, 1936, to Adolf and Rufina (Wingenbach) Kopp. She was raised and educated in Raleigh, ND and worked at Kopp’s Food Center throughout her youth. She married Steve Kautzman on December 30, 1957, in St. Gerturde, ND. They made their home in Mandan before moving to New Salem in 1968.

Ida’s life was a true testament to the idea of servant leadership. She took great pride in caring for and looking after people that she looked up to, including Grandpa Kautzman, Margarite Brandenburg and Babe Meier. After their passing, she found a new calling at Elm Crest Manor in New Salem caring for and preparing meals for the residents. She was a hard worker, whether it was painting with Selma, or gardening with Glenda, you could count on her to always be there. At the same time, she never missed a game or an activity if one of her own was involved. She was like a mom to all her children’s friends and her home served as the gathering spot for many of their get-togethers. Her entire life was dedicated to the needs of her children and grandchildren. She was a woman of faith, honest and caring and she will be deeply missed by all that knew her. A special thanks to the staff at both Sanford and Miller Pointe, the care she received was noticed and appreciated.

Ida is survived by her children, Brad (Darlene), Bismarck, Cheryl (Nick) Kraft, Mandan, Gerald (Mary), Mandan, and Keith (Jodi), Mandan; grandchildren, Cody and Cayle Kautzman, Tandra, Terry and Tom (Amy) Kraft, Courtney (Jon Lang), Zach and Emily Kautzman, Kennedi (Chase) Lako and Quincy Kautzman; great grandchildren, Keegan Kautzman, Caden Preskey, Leighton and Lincoln Kraft; in-laws, Jim Gerhardt, Virginia Kautzman, Geri Kautzman, Eleanor Baxman, Jim Kautzman (Pat), and Peggy Hendrick.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents; husband Steve; sisters, Billie Klein, Rosie Hersch, Ann Collingwood, Vi Scharmer, Linda Klein, Leona Gerhardt, Vickie Gerhardt, Allice Utter, Irene Powers, and Joni Chistopherson; brothers, Les Kopp, Otto Kopp and Ablin Kopp; her in-laws, Mark Klein, Joe Hersch, Norm Collingwood, Chris Gerhardt, David Utter, Don Christopherson, Jack Kautzman, Ed Kautzman, Ben Kautzman, David Kautzman, Kenneth Kautzman, Lonnie and Minnie Slusarski, Joe and Clara Ferderer; and one grandson, Casey Kautzman.