Stephen Ludwick

Stephen "Steve" Wilson Ludwick, 67, of Fargo died Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Sanford Health (formerly MeritCare) due to complications stemming from a long battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Stephen Wilson Ludwick was born on August 3, 1942 to Homer and Mary (McManus) Ludwick in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In 1943 he moved with his parents to Duluth, Minnesota where his younger sister Lindalea was born. They lived there until 1945 when they moved as a family to Fargo, North Dakota. He grew up and attended school in the Fargo school system, graduating with Fargo Central High School's class of 1960. Shortly after graduating from high school, Steve joined the United States Army. Following his military service he went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Economics from North Dakota State University in 1968. He then continued his education at the University of Minnesota where he received his Masters in Business Administration in 1972. Following his education he enjoyed a career in business and finance with various banks and institutions in Illinois, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. In late 1983 Steve returned to Fargo and went on to serve as a business professor at several regional academic institutions including North Dakota State University, Concordia College, Moorhead State University Minnesota and Bemidji State University Minnesota. Subsequent to his time as an instructor Steve undertook a number of entrepreneurial pursuits, calling largely upon his strong business and sales background. In addition to his ongoing interest in business and finance, Steve had a strong appreciation for music. Over the years he held leading roles in a number of opera and musical theatre productions. Additionally, he sung in many choirs including most recently the choir at Riverview Place, an independent and assisted living facility that had been his cherished home since 2008. Other interests of Steve included puzzles, card playing, coin collecting and travel. In particular, Steve had visited 47 of the 48 lower contiguous United States, having missed only Maine in all his travels. Steve is survived by his eldest daughter Karri who resides in London; his younger daughter Kristin (Bryson) who resides in Connecticut with son-in-law David Bryson and grandchildren Andrew and Kate Bryson; sister Lindalea Pite Ludwick; niece Rebekah Pite Eckman and nephew-in-law Chris Eckman and their children Sofia and Elijah; and niece Jessica (Pite) McNamara and nephew-in-law Ed McNamara and their daughter Annabel; and former wife Leo (Johnsen) Ludwick. He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Mary, and his son, Shannon Wilson. Funeral: Wednesday, July 28, 2010, 10:30 AM at Riverview Place, 5300 12th St. South, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Followed by a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Burial: North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan, ND. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Riverview Place.