DONNA NADINE HEDDEN

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DONNA NADINE HEDDEN With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Donna Hedden on February 23, 2006 at her residence. Donna was born February 18, 1938 in Innisfail, AB. This prairie gal fell in love with her cowboy, Jim and she married him on October 2, 1957 in Climax, SK. Their 48 years together began in the Stone area, just south of Tompkins, SK. They moved to Val Marie where Dad worked for the PFRA, and then took their two children to Manitoba in 1963. They settled in the Ashern area in 1967 where they established Sleepy Hollow Simmentals. Mom was an avid gardener. She enjoyed fishing, reading and writing. She was always very involved in every aspect of ranch life - No. 1 cowhand! Donna worked off-farm as a school teacher and a secretary for Ashern Agencies. She was secretary for Manitoba Agriculture for 27 years, retiring in 1998. She enjoyed her grandchildren a great deal. The recent addition of a great-grandson brought her much joy. Donna was strong and determined. She got breast cancer in 1983, which she battled for two and one half years. 20 years later, she began her fight with lymphoma. She won the first round, and the second but the last had proved to be too much for her. The Lord saw that she was suffering and took her to be with Him. Her last wish was that her family take her home from Concordia Hospital to die. She wanted to be with her family and her pets, in the sanctuary that was her home. Mom faced death with quiet acceptance, grace and dignity. Her only concern was for her family, as we held her and said farewell. Her last words, This must be so hard on all of you spoke volumes about the kind of woman she was. She was predeceased by her father Charles and her brother Gordon. Donna is survived by her husband Jim; her son Patrick; her daughter Colleen (Jack); four grandchildren, Rylee and Chelsea, Jalleen (Jeff) and Justin; one great-grandson Tyler; her mother Hazel; brothers, Melvin, Douglas (Diane), and Kenneth; sisters-in-law, Lorna and Joan (Errol); a brother-in-law John (Tammy); three nieces, Karen, Lisa and Terri and two nephews, Marty and Jamie. The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and health care workers who have cared for her over the years. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Donna's life will be held on Thursday, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. in the Ashern Centennial Hall with Melanie Kauppila officiating. Honorary pallbearers are Joanne Thage, Verna Koops, and Joan Plohman. In lieu of flowers donations my be made in Donna's memory to the Lakeshore Hospital Guild in care of Julie Bergner, PO Box 721, Ashern, MB ROC OEO. Arrangements by Arnason Funeral Home Ltd Ashern-Lundar 1 204 768 2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 27, 2006