Read about the life of this priest

What a wonderful life. It is easy to forget that this type of man is the true priest of God. Bless his soul. I love the tractor story.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/articles/index.cfm?id=18139&section=Obituaries%20(free%20view

Father Roman Edward Ludwig

Father Roman Edward Ludwig, 92, Priest of the Diocese of Fargo passed away Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Born Sept. 30, 1916, in Cameron, Wis., Father Ludwig was the oldest of seven children of the Edward and Emma (Fassbender) Ludwig family. He grew up in Cameron and Rice Lake, Wis., and attended the Josephinum High School and Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1943, at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus.

His first assignment was at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Valley City, where he served for six months. He then served as parochial vicar under Father J.J. O’Donovan at St. John’s in New Rockford. In 1946, he was appointed to serve at St. Lawrence in Jessie, with the mission parish of Sts. Peter and Paul in McHenry. McHenry nearly ended his priestly career. While helping rebuild the church after it was demolished in a storm, he rolled a farm tractor into the unfinished basement. God tested him again as a scaffold gave way while he was helping re-shingle the roof in Jessie.

In 1956, he was assigned pastor at St. Martin’s in Geneseo, and, in 1961, became pastor of St. Rose of Lima in Hillsboro and Our Lady of Peace in Mayville. While in Hillsboro, he oversaw construction of the church’s catechetical center. A recent fall dinner gave him an opportunity to see his old parish and visit with some of the parishioners.

In 1969 Father Ludwig was assigned to the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown to be co-pastor with two other priests for three years.

In 1972, he returned to Mayville where he served as pastor, with the mission parish of St. Olaf’s in Finley. He made many friends and received many Air Force awards as Chaplain to the personnel stationed at the Finley Radar Site.

In 1984, Father Ludwig was assigned to St. Stephen’s in Larimore, where he spent 14 years. He also served Sacred Heart in Aneta for eight of those years, and served the Diocese of Fargo as Dean for five years. While in Larimore, he hosted the priest of a flood-ravished Grand Forks church. He retired on Nov. 30, 1997, to Grand Forks.

In his retirement, he was a member of St. Michael’s and later Holy Family church after moving to Valley 4000’s Wheatland Terrace. He continued to offer Mass in his apartment and pray for his many friends gained as he labored in the Vineyard of the Lord.

Father Ludwig is survived by two brothers, Gregory (Mary) Ludwig of Rice Lake, Wis., and Gus (Betty) Ludwig of Whitman, Ark.; one sister, Mary Ludwig of Rice Lake, and several nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Rev. Clarence Ludwig and Joe (Irene) Ludwig, and one sister, Theresa Parkhurst.

Mass of Christian Burial: 9:00 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2008 in Holy Family Catholic Church, 1018 18th Ave. So. Grand Forks, ND.

Visitation: 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday with a 5:00 p.m. vigil service in Holy Family Catholic Church. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the liturgy in the church on Monday.

Burial: At a later date in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Rice Lake, WI.

The online memorial registry may be signed at www.normanfuneral.com
(Gregory J. Norman-Norman Funeral Home, Grand Forks, ND).