Willis Heib

Minot

Willis M. Heib, 92, Minot, died Monday, March 31, 2025, at Garrison Benedictine Living Center, Garrison.

Willis Marvin Heib was born Feb. 6, 1933, in McKlusky, ND. Willis was the son of John Hieb and Leontina (Keller) Hieb. Willis attended school in McKlusky until the sixth grade while working at the family farmstead.

Willis enlisted in the United States Army on Jan. 14, 1953. He proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict until his honorable discharge on Dec. 23, 1954.

He attended North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton and earned a Diesel Mechanics associates degree. Willis married Elizabeth (Gange) Heib in Drake and they were married for 64 years. They made their home in Surrey and raised seven children together.

Willis was a member of the VFW-Veterans of Foreign Wars-POST 753 and the American Legion. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the Army National Guard as a 91B-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic for 24 years. He was attached to the 164th Engineer Combat Battalion in Minot.

He graduated on Feb. 16, 1986, from the Noncommissioned Officer School in the National Guard Military Academy at Fort Grafton. Willis received the Soldier of the Month Award for outstanding service in October of 1989. He assisted with evacuations of up to 12,000 distraught families during the 1969 and 1976 Flood disasters in Minot.

Willis became employed at the Minot Air Force Base as a Mechanical Engineer for 24 years and received the “Outstanding Performance Award” from the Strategic Air Commander of the United States Air Force for excellent work performance and outstanding mentor for the USAF.

Willis loved to play the harmonica and dance polkas with our mom at Barn dances in Karlsruhe and Drake. Later in life he spent time working on cars and trucks with his son Russell while smoking Cigars and having a tall, cold drink. Willis loved watching Westerns on T.V. and eating chocolate cake and candy suckers-nicknamed him the “Candy Man”.

Willis is survived by brother, Arnold Hieb, Carson City, NV, sister, Joyce Duncan, Tacoma, WA, Children, Anne (Randy) Abrahamson, Garrison, Rebecca (Garth) Klein, Norwich, Anita (Irvin) Sprenger, Roseville, CA, Laurie (Loren) Klein, Logan, Russell Heib, Sumter, SC, Paul Heib, Minot. 10 Grandchildren and 9 Great Grandchildren.

Willis was preceded in death by his parents, son, Wade Heib, Sisters, Helen Scheps, Almena, WI, Violet Sorenson, Bismarck, Brother, Edwin Hieb, Lodi, CA.

Burial: An open family graveside service will take place at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot at a later date. Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section. www.thompsonlarson.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, April 4, 2025.