1947
Neil
2006
Neil Hiedeman
April 26, 1947 — August 14, 2006
Neil L. Hiedeman, 59, St. Paul, Minnesota formerly rural Breckenridge, MN, died August 14, 2006 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. His funeral will be held Saturday, August 19, 2006, at 1:30 P.M. at the United Methodist Church in Breckenridge. Pastor Terry Tilton will be officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, August 18, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Minnesota. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Interment will be at Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, Minnesota.
Neil is survived by: His mother, Mae Hiedeman, Breckenridge, MN; His 2 brothers: Norman (Kate) Hiedeman, Breckenridge, MN and Raymond (Janice) Hiedeman, Sebeka, MN; 2 nephews and 2 nieces: Kim (Brian) Fuder, Kevin (Ann) Hiedeman, Kari (Brian) Johnston, Darrell (Nicole) Hiedeman, Several Great Nieces and Nephews.
He was preceded in death by: His father: Harold F. Hiedeman and a nephew Scott Hiedeman.
Neil was born April 26, 1947 in Fergus Falls, MN to Harold and Mae (Lankow) Hiedeman. He grew up on the family farm in Sunnyside Township of Wilkin County, MN. Neil attended grade school in Doran, MN and high school in Breckenridge, MN, graduating in 1965. Neil was a very talented musician, and at the age of thirteen began playing the organ at the Foxhome United Methodist Church. He played for services until he graduated from high school. Neil then attended Hamline University for three years and completed his fourth year of college at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1969. On November 20, 1969 he entered the U.S. Army. Prior to his deployment to Viet Nam, Neil took a thirty week Vietnamese Language course and a seven week interrogation course. In Viet Nam he worked as an Interrogation Officer until he was honorably discharged on January 7, 1972. He returned to the farm for a short time, then moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where he began working at Dayton's as a window display decorator.
While Neil was living in his apartment in Minneapolis the building was sold. The new owner liked Neil's decorating style and offered him the opportunity to do the entire building. With the extra income Neil was able to save enough money to purchase his first Victorian home in the Ramsey-Hill area in 1974. Neil's love for restoration of old Victorian homes was nurtured after this first home purchase, resulting in the establishment of his own restoration business that he called the "Old House Company." He had real enthusiasm for restoring residences in the Dayton Street and Dale Avenue area and was a leading force in getting the neighborhood rehabilitated. Neil received several recognition awards from the St. Paul Chapter of American Institute of Architects and St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission.
Neil was quoted as saying "I open my eyes to the houses I paint. I touch every inch. I know every nook and cranny. They become my friends."
Neil was a member of the St. Clement's Episcopal Church in St. Paul, MN. He also enjoyed flower gardening, caring for hundreds of plants. His work and enthusiasm for design will be remembered and seen by many for years
to come.
"We are blessed to have known Neil and to have reaped the rewards of his talent and artistic gifts. You will be missed Color Man."
Neil is survived by: His mother, Mae Hiedeman, Breckenridge, MN; His 2 brothers: Norman (Kate) Hiedeman, Breckenridge, MN and Raymond (Janice) Hiedeman, Sebeka, MN; 2 nephews and 2 nieces: Kim (Brian) Fuder, Kevin (Ann) Hiedeman, Kari (Brian) Johnston, Darrell (Nicole) Hiedeman, Several Great Nieces and Nephews.
He was preceded in death by: His father: Harold F. Hiedeman and a nephew Scott Hiedeman.
Neil was born April 26, 1947 in Fergus Falls, MN to Harold and Mae (Lankow) Hiedeman. He grew up on the family farm in Sunnyside Township of Wilkin County, MN. Neil attended grade school in Doran, MN and high school in Breckenridge, MN, graduating in 1965. Neil was a very talented musician, and at the age of thirteen began playing the organ at the Foxhome United Methodist Church. He played for services until he graduated from high school. Neil then attended Hamline University for three years and completed his fourth year of college at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1969. On November 20, 1969 he entered the U.S. Army. Prior to his deployment to Viet Nam, Neil took a thirty week Vietnamese Language course and a seven week interrogation course. In Viet Nam he worked as an Interrogation Officer until he was honorably discharged on January 7, 1972. He returned to the farm for a short time, then moved to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where he began working at Dayton's as a window display decorator.
While Neil was living in his apartment in Minneapolis the building was sold. The new owner liked Neil's decorating style and offered him the opportunity to do the entire building. With the extra income Neil was able to save enough money to purchase his first Victorian home in the Ramsey-Hill area in 1974. Neil's love for restoration of old Victorian homes was nurtured after this first home purchase, resulting in the establishment of his own restoration business that he called the "Old House Company." He had real enthusiasm for restoring residences in the Dayton Street and Dale Avenue area and was a leading force in getting the neighborhood rehabilitated. Neil received several recognition awards from the St. Paul Chapter of American Institute of Architects and St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission.
Neil was quoted as saying "I open my eyes to the houses I paint. I touch every inch. I know every nook and cranny. They become my friends."
Neil was a member of the St. Clement's Episcopal Church in St. Paul, MN. He also enjoyed flower gardening, caring for hundreds of plants. His work and enthusiasm for design will be remembered and seen by many for years
to come.
"We are blessed to have known Neil and to have reaped the rewards of his talent and artistic gifts. You will be missed Color Man."
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