Heppner, Mary Kehler (1917-2000)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 2000 Jun 9 p. 26

Birth date: 1917 Sep 10

Text of obituary:

MARY HEPPNER

Mary Heppner of Winkler, Man. passed away Mar. 25. She was born Sept. 10, 1917 to John J. and Katherina Kehler in Horndean, Man. She accepted Christ Jan. 4, 1931. Her future husband, Erdman (Ed) Heppner, was instrumental in leading her to Jesus. She was baptized and joined the MB church. She married Ed Oct. 28, 1934. They farmed for many years. She thrived on hard work. She was well known for her generous hospitality, her cooking and baking (especially chicken noodle soup, buns and cinnamon buns), serving her family and giving unconditional love. She and Ed had a strong love for missionaries and supported a missionary couple in Ecuador for a year. She gave unselfishly to church, Christian organizations and her children. Her daughter Esther's death at age 16 in 1953 was hard on her. She enjoyed attending Camp Ames in her senior years with her sisters. After Ed died in 1971, she worked as a cook at Eden Mental Health Centre in Winkler. She retired at age 74. Her health began to decline within her last 5 years, but her faith in Jesus remained strong. She desired to go and be with Him. Predeceased by Ed, 2- month-old son Eddie in 1936, daughter Esther, 2 brothers and 2 sisters, she is mourned by daughters Katherine Stobbe of Edmonton, Ruth Wiebe of Portage la Prairie, Man. and Madeline Thiessen of Winkler; sons John of Vista, Calif., Tony of Winnipeg and Paul of South Surrey, B.C.; 21 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and 5 sisters. The funeral was Mar. 27 in Winkler MB Church, with Neil Block and John B. Wiebe ministering.