Gerald Heiden

Gerald V. Heiden, age 77 of Waco, died Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at Tabitha Care Center in Lincoln. He was born on October 27, 1927 on a farm south of Waco, Nebraska to Theodor and Martha (Fuss) Heiden, the 3rd of five children. He was baptized on November 20, 1927 and confirmed April 6, 1941 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Waco, Nebraska. He was united in marriage to Dorothy Lucille Gloystein on April 18, 1954 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Utica, Nebraska He was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Waco. Gerald served in the Korean War from 1951 – 1953. He worked as a farmer for over 50 years in the rural Waco area. In addition to farming, he worked as a carpenter and also as the janitor and caretaker of St. John’s Lutheran Church, School and Cemetery for 41 years. He served on the Waco rural fireboard, St. John’s church council and was a member of the American Legion Post 49, Utica. His hobbies included woodworking and gardening. He also enjoyed traveling to Army reunions throughout the United States and visiting his out-of-state children and grandchildren. His quick wit and sense of humor will be missed by family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Waco; five children, Mark (Stephanie) Heiden of Sioux Falls, SD, Marsha (Terry) Barth, Beaver Crossing, NE, Gordon (Diana) Heiden, Waco, NE, PJ (Jeannie) Heiden, Tempe, AZ and Valerie (Dave) Doherty of Phoenix, AZ. Also surviving are grandchildren; Erica & Erin Heiden of Lincoln, Jared Heiden of Sioux Falls, Shana (Randy) Schultz of Giltner, Mitchell (Lori) Wambold of Lincoln, Chelsea Wambold of Beaver Crossing, Michelle (Matt) Bennett of Greenwood, NE, Dawn (Kevin) Standage of Ravenna, NE, Lori, Lisa and Paul Heiden of Waco, Katrina Montgomery, Mollie and Elijah Heiden all of Tempe, Libby and Kate Doherty of Phoenix; great-grandchildren, Kaelan Schultz, Emily Friesen, Zechariah, Danielle and Noah Bennett and Claire Standage. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Walter, Earl, Elton and Donald and a son-in-law, Trent Wambold.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 30, 2005 at St. John’s Lutheran Church south of Waco with the Rev. Paul T. Kern officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. John’s Cemetery or to the donor’s favorite charity. Visitation begins after 5:00 p.m., Thursday. The family will greet friends and neighbors from 7:00 – 8:30 pm., Friday at Metz Mortuary in York.