Obituary of Donald Anton Heppner

Donald died peacefully after a brave battle with cancer. He was born on March 29, 1933 in Laird Sask., to Anton and Kate (nee: Sawatsky) Heppner. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Alice of 58 years, his daughter Nancy of Vernon BC., eight granddaughters and seven great grand-children, and son-in-law Murray. Don started out farming for four years in the Belbutte area. He said there has to be something better to do than milking cows, so he applied with Sask Power, because he had gone to Radio School he got a job as a radio technician for eight years. Then he got a job with B.C. Hydro as a micro-technician for seventeen years in the Vernon area. The family lived in Armstrong. Music was always part of his life. He played with a good country band in Vernon. When Don turned 50 he retired, he and Alice moved to Chitek Lake. His hobbies were wood-working, lots of fishing and music. He became a one man band and entertained in the nursing home, seniors home and different churches. After thirteen years Don and Alice moved to Waldhiem, where he continued his hobbies and music. Then after ten years they moved to North Battleford to be closer to family and bought a cabin at Chitek Lake. Most of the summers were spent there. Don met Larry and Dennis about six years ago, they formed a good country band called "Keeping it Country". Don made a gospel cd in April 2011, thanks to Dave and Debbie Norman from Rosetown he was able to do that in their recording studio. Don was predeceased by his sons; Terry Heppner, Rod Heppner, his daughter Val Wickstand, his parents; Anton and Kate Heppner, sister Marge Friesen, parents-in-law; Peter and Tina Janzen. Special thanks to Dr.Lipsett and the wonderful nurses and staff of Ward 3 at Battleford's Union Hospital. Funeral Service for Don was held Friday, August 24th, 2012 at 2:00pm from the Spiritwood Civic Center in Spiritwood, SK. Interment followed the service in the Spiritwood Cemetery. Donations in Don's memory may be made to the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic or to the Palliative Care Unit of the North Battleford Union Hospital. Ed Beaulac entrusted with arrangements. Email condolences will be forwarded to the family.