Diedrich (Dick) Heppner

HEPPNER, Diedrich

Diedrich (Dick) Heppner was born September 6, 1924, the fourth boy and 9th child of Helena and Peter Heppner. Dick was predeceased by all his siblings; but is survived by son, Dennis (Denie) Heppner;  daughters, Joyce Halvorson and Geri Holmes; 10 grandchildren; 20 greatgrandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren. One son, Robert James predeceased him shortly after birth. Dick’s early years were spent on the farm near Lowefarm, Manitoba. Dick had memories of taking lard sandwiches to school because times were tough. His father maintained that because they were pacifists and didn’t support the government in its war efforts, they would not accept social assistance from them either.

In 1948 he attended Bible College for a year and returned home for a visit where he met a beautiful Mennonite girl wearing an olive green dress. That girl, Margaret, won his heart and they were married a short time later. The ensuing 65 years of marriage produced a son, Dennis; and daughters, Joyce and Geri. A son, Robert, died shortly after birth. Dick worked hard to provide for his family; first at Braid’s Building Supply in Winnipeg, and then with Imperial Oil Company (Esso) delivering gas to service stations. He retired from driving in 1986 only to work at Deerfoot Walmart for 5 years in the hardware section. Regardless of what he did, he took pride in his work believing that if it was worth doing, it needed to be done well or not at all.

Throughout his life Dick actively pursued giving to those in need, buying groceries or giving to support a ministry somewhere in the world. He believed that giving to the less fortunate would reap its own rewards in the right time. Today his children can honestly say that they were never without the necessities of life because of his giving, proving the scripture that says, “give and it shall be given....” Dick’s favourite verse and the verse he lived by was, “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord”. 

Diedrich Heppner had his graduation and slipped into the presence of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, December 2, 2015. He died peacefully with his wife, Margaret and granddaughter Charity in the room with him. The last words he uttered were peace, peace.

His family really appreciate all tokens of sympathy and support during this time of bereavement. However, in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dick’s memory to:

Gentle Hands, PO Box 771, Station M, Calgary, AB, T2P 2J3.