IRA ELWOOD HEEBNER

IRA ELWOOD HEEBNER March 31, 1936 March 13, 2024
Ira passed away peacefully at AgeCare Riverview in Medicine Hat, AB on Wednesday March 13, 2024, at the age of 87 years. He is survived by his children, Glenda (Myles) Fichter, Verla (Shaun) Henderson, and son-in-law, Carmon Lindquist; 9 grandchildren, Ceanna (Colin) Tajcnar, Kelsy (Ty) Wigemyr, Tess (Blake) Zinger, Lais Lindquist, Lorin, Morgan, and Shayna Fichter, Brenna and Connor Henderson; 3 great-grandchildren, Major and Max Tajcnar, and Tor Wigemyr; and brother, Bruce (Sylvia) Heebner.
He is predeceased by his wife, Velma; daughter, Debra (Carmon) Lindquist; parents, Emil and Emilia (Redlich) Heebner; brothers, Elmer (Alma) Heebner, Norman (Renetta) Heebner and Mervyn (Clara) Heebner; and sister, Ruth (Gordon) Coles.
Ira was born in Vanguard, SK on March 31,1936 and grew up in the community of Glen Bain. He attended Simonson School, a quarter mile west of the farm then continued High School in the town of Glen Bain. Ira’s agricultural career started a year before graduation as his father needed help on the farm. In his younger years, the family had cattle, pigs, and chickens, but most of his 45 years were spent harvesting grain until he moved to an acreage in Cypress County, south of Dunmore in 2002.
Ira would make trips to Glen Bain, sometimes on cross country skis, to visit Velma Engel of Woodrow, SK, who moved to the area for her first teaching job. Their courtship led to marriage in 1957 at the Woodrow Country Church, three daughters and a wonderful life together on the farm.
In 1962, Ira decided to learn to fly. He shared his love for flying with many people, taking friends and family up in the air to experience the “fly overs” and “roller coaster rides”. He had many adventures taking him as far as Mexico in his Cessna airplane. He also ventured into many business opportunities including owning DJ Diamonds and raising ostriches.
He will be fondly remembered for his humor and practical jokes, always brightening up the room. His personal faith and love for God was woven into the fabric of his life. It inspired him to get involved with a variety of activities, sponsoring school children and drilling water wells in Haiti.
In the later years, Ira and Velma loved spending time in their trailer, camping with their children and grandchildren.
Please join us for Ira & Velma’s Memorial at Chinook Village, Terrace Room, on March 30, 2024, at 1:00PM
Condolences may be made at www.gracememorial.com. Arrangements are made by
Grace Memorial Affordable
Burial & Cremation
1924 10th Ave N.W.
Medicine Hat, Alberta T1C 1T5
www.gracememorial.com
403-905-0440