Arnold Albert Emil Heck

Arnold Albert Emil Heck, age 89 of Mondovi, passed away on Friday October 24, 2014 at Oak View Care Center, Durand. He was born on February 5, 1925 at home in Steinke Valley, Buffalo County, Wisconsin, son of the late Ludwig and Marie (Roetter) Heck. Arnold attended and graduated from Mondovi High School with the class of 1943. He was a member of FFA in high school, showing animals at the fair and earning his State FFA degree in 1944. On September 5, 1954 Arnold was united in marriage to Bernice Steinke at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Eau Claire. Bernice preceded Arnold in death on August 14, 1997. With a passion for farming and green tractors, Arnold, along with his wife, farmed in the Town of Canton, Buffalo County for 43 years. After Bernice's passing, he continued to farm until 2010. He was a lifelong and devoted member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Canton where he served as congregational President, Treasurer, Secretary and custodian. He also held multiple offices on the church cemetery board. For several decades Arnold also played on the church dart ball team. Arnold served as a board member for the Mondovi Co-op Equity. He loved attending the Buffalo County Fair, never able to walk more than a few feet without stopping to visit with some old friend. Bowling on a team with friends and relatives was another favorite pastime. As an avid local historian, Arnold was an active member of the Mondovi Historical Society and spent many a weekend out at the historical museum at the tourist park. Arnold will be sadly missed by his two daughters, Amy (Brian) De Baker of Oregon, WI, and Rebecca (Gregory) Dreyer of Colgate, WI; two grandchildren, Daniel and Michael De Baker; brother, Orlin (Helen) of Snohomish, WA; brother-in-law, LaMoine Steinke; sister-in-law, Alice Stanford; nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides his parents and wife Bernice, Arnold was preceded in death by his infant son, sister-in-law, Natalie Steinke, brother-in-law, Clifford Stanford, and nephew, John Heck. Funeral services will be held on Saturday November 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Canton with Pastor Daniel Pfaffe officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. A visitation will be held on Friday October 31 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Mondovi Chapel and again on Saturday from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Mondovi Historical Society or St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Canton. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com