Heller, Norman Archie
Posted on September 3, 2014 by Maple CreekHELLER – Norman Archie ~ Feb. 28, 1945 – Aug. 25, 2014Norman Archie Heller passed away on August 25, 2014 after a short battle with cancer.
He is survived by his companion and good friend Pat Heidinger, two brothers Glen Hughes and his family and Gary Hughes, two aunts and many cousins. He is also survived by his “adopted daughter” Shannon Saskatchewan and her family, Navarrone Wapass (Rebecca) and his sons Xavier Wapass-Montour, Tyresse Wapass -Montour, Gary Wapass (Natasha) and their family, Kyveah Wapass-Montour, Kaydence Wapass-Montour, Tiffany Wapass (Dan) and her son Desmond Ray Wapass. Also left to remember Norman is Pat’s family: sons Murray, Cora and Taylor Heidinger; Kevin and Cindy Heidinger and their family; Blaize Colton, Arianna Lindstrom and Daria Heidinger; daughter Lesley Heidinger and her family Farah El Bakhouri.
He was predeceased by his parents Conrad and Ida Heller and his birth mother Elizabeth Bender Hughes and granddaughter Desiray Wapass.
Norman was born in Medicine Hat, Alta. and raised and educated in Golden Prairie-Maple Creek area. He attended high school in Maple Creek, where he participated in many sports activities like hockey, curling, football, baseball. He continued to curl after school, sometimes with his father and other times against him.
He started working for the Co-op Bulk Station and later moved to Calgary where he worked at several different jobs. His favorite was working as a security guard for the Calgary Stampede Company. He made many friends there, especially with the chuckwagon drivers and their families. He never lost his love for chuckwagon races and the Calgary Stampede. While a security guard, he also worked at the Saddledome for the hockey games and concerts.
Norman loved Native culture and asked many questions of them as he walked through the Indian Village at the Calgary Stampede. This is how Shannon Saskatchewan came into his life. After he moved back to Medicine Hat, he met her and her family and she adopted him as a father figure and as I (Pat) came into the picture, I was her mother and he became kookum and moshum to her children and grandchildren.
When he first moved to Calgary, he joined a dance group. Here he met many new friends, from this group he moved on to a square dancing group in which the group even competed.
While in Calgary, Norman met and married. The marriage ended many years later.
After Norman retired, he moved back to Medicine Hat.
About 10 to 11 years ago Norman found his birth family. Although he was to late to meet his mother, he met his brothers, their families and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He stayed in contact with them and enjoyed many coffee visits.
At Normans’ request he was cremated and buried with his parents in the Maple Creek Cemetery. A graveside service was held on Tues., Sept. 2, 2014 at 11 a.m. with Captain Ed Dean officiating. A celebration of Norman’s life will he held on Sun., Sept. 7, 2014 from 1:30 – 4:00 p.m. in the Grandview Village Grande room, 1535 South Drive S.E., Med. Hat, Alta.
If people so desire, they can make a donation in Norman’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society, 1865 Dunmore Rd, SE. or the Carmel Hospice St. Joseph’s Home, 156 3rd St. NE., Med. Hat. Alta.
To email an expression of sympathy, you may visit http://www.gonebutnotforgotten.ca.
Binkley’s Funeral Service, Maple Creek and Leader, in charge of arrangements. 306-662-2292
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