Fern Violet Heck
September 4, 1924 - December 8, 2008
Obituary
Fern Violet Heck was born Fern Violet Leder to her parents John and Vernie Leder on September 4, 1924 on a farm near the small town of Anamoose, North Dakota. She was the youngest of five children and grew up during the Depression Era. Her father passed away when ‘Teeny’ – as she was known by her immediate family – was only nine years old, leaving her and the rest of the family with a great loss during very difficult economic times. But God was faithful to the Leder family as he provided Fern’s mother with a means to support the family, requiring her to leave Fern in the care of her older sister, Angelette and later Joan, as Vernie became the chief cook for a Bridge and Builder crew for the Soo Railroad Line in the upper Midwest. Fern, traveling alone at the age of only eleven, would often go see her mother several states away, catching and changing trains along the way. After graduating Valedictorian from her high school in Balfour, North Dakota, she pursued her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. She attended Minot State Teachers College for one year, followed by 10 months of working at the Lockheed-Vega Aircraft Company in Pasadena, California, where she riveted and applied decals on B17 and B29 bombers for the war effort in 1943. She then returned to Minot, where she finished her college education and graduated with a teaching certificate. Fern taught 3rd grade students for two years, first in Mott and then in Wilton, ND. She enjoyed the experience immensely, but decided to quit when she found the true love of her life – Melvin Heck. Fern met Mel while visiting her sister Violet in Snohomish, where Violet lived with her in-laws while her husband Oliver Heck was serving in the Army in the Pacific. Mel was home from his work at the Bremerton Shipyards, visiting his parents at the time. For Melvin, it was apparently love at first sight, being smitten by the petite 5 foot 3 brunette. Shortly thereafter, Mel began to write to Fern, who continued her teaching career in North Dakota. After literally hundreds of letters back and forth, Fern came back to Washington, and became engaged to be married a few weeks later. They were married June 8, 1947. Fern and Mel lived in the Bremerton area for about three years, where Mel continued working as a machinist for the US Navy. In 1950, he was transferred to ‘the ends of the earth’ – Astoria, Oregon. Here they raised two sons – Robin, born in 1951, and Terry born in 1955. They lived happily in Astoria for 28 years, making many life-long friends, before moving back to the Seattle area in 1978. Here, they became faithful members of Resurrection Lutheran Church, making many more friends, both here and in their community, while also enjoying the time spent with their grandchildren Kyle, Melissa, Jason and Tyler. In 1991, Fern’s husband Mel went home to be with his Lord, after suffering from a prolonged illness with asbestosis. Fern cared lovingly for her husband at home during his convalescence. Even though she missed him terribly, she was confident that she would see him in heaven again someday. Although Fern was cheerful and brave in the face of her own illness, she began to decline steadily in health since Christmas 2007. After a long battle with congestive heart failure, severe arthritis and pneumonia, she went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 8, 2008. Throughout her life here on earth, she depended on God’s strength to carry her through life’s trials and tribulations, along with the blessings and joys. She has passed that faith along to her children and her grandchildren, and has touched the lives of the many who knew her.
Fern Violet Heck, age 84, went home to be with her Lord, December 8th, 2008 in Burien, WA. Fern is survived by her sons, Robin and Terry Debbie Heck; four grandchildren, Kyle Sarah, Melissa, Jason and Tyler; sister, Violet Heck; nieces, Dale James, Nikki Allan, Renee Gary, Becky Charles and Cathy; nephews, John Leslie and Don. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Heck in 1991. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, 12/16 at 2:30 PM at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 134 S. 206th, Des Moines, WA. Private family committal services being held at BONNEY-WATSON Washington Memorial Park, 16445 International Blvd., SeaTac, WA 206 242-1787.
Remembrances may be sent to:
Resurrection Lutheran Church
134 S. 206th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198
Or
Medic One Foundation
MS 359747
325 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104-2420
My heart goes out to everyone. When looking at Aunt Teeny’s eyes- I could see my Grandfather. She must have been quite a lovely woman. Peace to you all. Sincerely, Chris, Amy, Zoe & Jack Farajian
To the Heck Family – Leslie and I offer our deepest sympathy at this time to our cousins and all of Aunt Teeny’s loved ones. My dad Bud Leder always spoke lovingly of his youngest sister Teeny. He thought the world of her and I’m sure there was a joyful reunion when they met again in Heaven. Because of the stories Dad shared with us about growing up we came to know Aunt Teeny as a gentle and loving person. Our thoughts are with you today. John and Leslie Leder
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Fern, you all are in
my thoughts. Rev 21:3,4.
Robin,
I did not know your mother but I did know you and my heart goes out to you.
I just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you.
Sincerely,
Birgit
To the Heck Family both Renee and myself send our condolence. I used to sit a listen to Renee talk about how much fun Renee had when visiting with Fern with her weekly visits and trips to eat out as well as Mint Conditions. I know Renee used to look forward to the tea and visit.