DERRY HEIDINGER

1932 - 2013

Frederick Martin “Derry” Heidinger of Burdett, passed away in Raymond on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at the age of 81 years.
Relatives and friends were invited to meet with the family at Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, July 25, 2013 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. and also at the church prior to the funeral service on Friday, July 26, 2013 between 10:00 A.M. and 10:40 A.M.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 309 - 8 Street West, Bow Island on Friday, July 26, 2013 at 11:00 A.M. A private burial followed at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Derry will be lovingly remembered by Marie, his wife of fifty five years and their children Sally (Bill) Gemmill of Lethbridge, Darren (Sherry) Heidinger of Stirling, Jayne (Chris) Ward of Taber, Trish Skarland (Steve Ulrich) of Medicine Hat, DanaRae (Darryl) Anderson of Magrath; sixteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Joan (Ron) Pruden of Drayton Valley, George Heidinger of Medicine Hat, Ruth (Don) Roth of Medicine Hat and David Heidinger of Lethbridge.
He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Ona Heidinger and sister-in-law Gwen Heidinger.
Derry was born in Medicine Hat on March 20, 1932. He married his sweetheart Marie Katherine Pierson on April 26, 1958. Together they resided in the Burdett area, farming and raising their family for many years. In the mid 60s, Derry and Marie began a career driving school bus that spanned over forty years. They began each school day driving the school aged children throughout the County of Forty Mile area. They took pride in the fact they got to see several generations of families grow up on their school bus. He enjoyed every minute of it.
Derry was happiest working on the farm, raising cattle and all the many hours spent on a tractor. In his later years, he enjoyed fishing with his family and making the annual journey to northern Manitoba for a fishing derby. He enjoyed spending many hours in his quonset, “tinkering” and working on whatever needed fixing.
Derry was a devoted family man, dedicated to his wife, children and his church.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Derry’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 317 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 2M7.