Submitted photo Heidi Beisch, pictured here with her son, Kyle, and daughter, Morgan, died tragically in an automobile accident in December. Fort Dodge Senior High is hosting "Mama Beisch Night" on Friday, when the Dodger basketball teams take on Southeast Polk.

Words will never fully express what Heidi Beisch meant to the Fort Dodge community.

Family and friends would rather put their feelings of love and appreciation into action.

The Dodgers are hosting “Mama Beisch Night” on Friday in the FDSH gym, paying tribute to the local woman who tragically died in an automobile accident last month at the age of 47.

“Heidi had such a big heart,” Fort Dodge athletic and activities director Matt Elsbecker said. “I’d known Heidi since high school when she was (a student) at Bishop Garrigan (Elsbecker attended nearby St. John’s High School in Bancroft). She was a very kind person who always took care of others.

“It’s been a sad situation, obviously, but this community is doing what it does best: rallying around a cause and a family in need. That’s what being a Dodger is all about. Heidi’s legacy will live on through her children and those who knew her best. In our own way, this night honors her and her passions.”

There will be a moment of silence and a tribute to recognize Beisch, whose children — Kyle and Morgan — were both Dodger basketball players. Kyle is currently a member of the Minot State University basketball team, after a standout career both at FDSH and Iowa Lakes Community College. Morgan is a high school senior.

Kyle’s high school teammates had “Mama Beisch” t-shirts made through Decker Sporting Goods in Fort Dodge before Heidi’s funeral to support the family. The shirts created a wave of interest, and according to Kandi Altman — one of the organizers of both the fundraiser and Friday’s ceremonies — 275 shirts have been sold in the last four weeks, with $5 going to the family with each transaction.

“The Mama Beisch shirts were (originally made) for the pallbearers at her funeral,” said Altman, a friend of Heidi’s and the mother of senior basketball player Ebonee Altman. “There was such a community outpouring that I asked Decker’s to help us (reach the public). They’d done such a great job (initially); in a matter of about four hours, they had the shirts ready for the boys to wear at her funeral.

“They are still taking orders at Decker’s, and will keep it open to do so (in the immediate future to financially back Kyle and Morgan).”

Altman said “Mama Beisch Night” is a way to formally recognize Heidi with as many Dodgers as possible together under the same roof.

“We just want to show our support not just for Heidi and the family, but for the Fort Dodge high school boys and girls programs she was so passionate about,” Altman said. “The group of boys (who initially ordered the shirts) were all kids she took in and supported through high school and beyond in basketball and life in general. So they wanted to honor her with the shirts and with her nickname.

“The entire community has showed so much support to the family … (Heidi’s) parents are truly overwhelmed.”

Kyle Beisch, who finished as the ninth-leading scorer in Dodger boys basketball history, said this “means the world to us and our family.”

“It just shows that she affected more people than we could’ve ever guessed,” Kyle said. “She loved supporting the Dodgers, even after I was done playing. I wish I could say more, but I’m just at a loss for words at the way the community has come together to help my family out.”

Morgan echoed her brother’s sentiments.

“I have no words for how helpful the community has been, in every way you possibly could think of,” Morgan said. “I never realized how many lives my mom impacted until I saw all the different faces at our house that night.

“Thank you to everyone in the community … it means more than you think.”

Two of Morgan’s friends and classmates, seniors Tehya Miller and Olivia Bork, also set up a “Go Fund Me” page named “Beisch Condolences” to help support Kyle and Morgan’s “future finances, whether it be their education or basic necessities.” The account, located on-line at https://www.gofundme.com/beisch-condolences, has raised $7,027 as of Thursday. It is still active.

St. Edmond Catholic Schools will have a “Mama Beisch Night” as well on Friday, Feb. 1. The Gael student section, known as the “Fish Tank,” has asked fans to wear their shirts for the home doubleheader against Clarion-Goldfield/Dows.

Thursday’s varsity Dodger games, against Southeast Polk, will start at 6:15 p.m.