William "Willie" Huschka

William “Willie” Frank Huschka, 77, of Mandan, passed away on September 28, 2023, surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with Fr. Josh Waltz officiating. Burial will follow at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a rosary and parish vigil at 7 PM. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.

Willie was born in Dickinson, ND on June 20, 1946, to Andrew and Anna (Krushenisky) Huschka. He graduated from Belfield High School in 1965 and was drafted into the Army where he served until 1968. Upon his return, he attended Bismarck Community College and Mary College and earned a BA in accounting. Willie began working at Office Systems (OSI) in Bismarck as a delivery boy and eventually became partial owner of the company from which he retired in 2005.

He married his soul mate, Alice Sauvageau, on July 5, 1969, and they settled in Mandan where they raised three children.

Renee Alice was born April 11, 1970. She married John Frey on November 24, 1995. They had three children, Jessica (Mason) Huestis, Bismarck; Anna, Williston; and Austin, Mandan. After Renee passed away, John married Shannon (Fronk). They live in Mandan where they welcomed Willie’s youngest grandchild, Cami.

Rhonda Kay was born on March 11, 1971. She lives in Mandan.  During her marriage she had two children, Bailey Kelly, Mandan and Devon Kelly, Fargo.

Jeff William was born on September 18, 1973. He lives in Farmington, MN with his wife, Amy (Hanson). They have two children, Carter, Eau Claire, WI and Alyssa, Farmington, MN.

Willie had a love for God and church that he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He was very active at St. Joseph Catholic Church throughout the years. No matter where his family was on vacation, they never missed church.

Willie loved to golf, playing at courses all over the US and even Ireland. He achieved a lifetime goal by getting a hole in one two years ago at the London Bridge Golf Course in Lake Havasu, AZ. He enjoyed golfing with Alice year-round, even when she beat him.

Willie also loved to fish. Family and friends liked to refer to him as “Walleye Willy”. He fulfilled a dream when he took the boys to Alaska on a fishing trip. He loved going out to Lake Sakakawea and the Missouri River on his boat.

Willie loved playing cards with family and friends. He spent many Thursdays, Fridays, and/or Saturdays at the Eagles in Mandan playing pinochle with all his buddies. Willie also enjoyed playing cards with his grandchildren every holiday.

The most important thing to Willie was his time with Alice, his children, grandchildren, and all of his extended family. Willie had 12 siblings, Alice had 15 siblings, and together they shared over 100 nieces and nephews.

We will all miss Willie’s gardening and homemade pickles every year, Sunday Bloody Mary’s, and his lack of filter that would leave everyone around him laughing. Willie was a shining light to his friends and family. He will be missed by all, and we are all better for having him in our life.

Willie is welcomed in heaven with open arms by those that have been lost, including his beloved daughter, Renee; his parents; brothers and sisters; nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the nurses at Sanford Hospice who took such great care of Willie.

The family prefers memorials to the St. Joseph Catholic School tuition fund.