Charlene D. Heggen

Des Moines, formerly of Carlisle

Charlene Heggen, 87, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at her home. A memorial service will be planned for a later date with burial at Masonic Cemetery.

Charlene was born in Ponca City, OK, the daughter of Thomas and Elzora (Park) Duncan. She was a 1943 graduate of East High School and on December 28, 1946 she married her high school sweetheart, Albin William (Bill) Heggen in Des Moines. Charlene worked at Bankers Life and from 1975 to 1989 she worked for Governor Ray’s Task Force for Indo-Chinese Settlement which was formed after the fall of Saigon. She was known as “Mrs. Charlene.”

Charlene was a member of P.E.O. Chapter NA, Des Moines Pioneer Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Carlisle United Methodist Church and was an usher at the Des Moines Metro Opera. She enjoyed reading, bridge, traveling, all things English, genealogy, dogs, opera, and was a devoted daughter, mother and grandmother. She had a great love for East High School and the Heggen family farm.

She is survived by three sons, Charles N. (Marcia) Heggen of Marshalltown, William D. (Lynn) Heggen of Des Moines and Thomas A. Heggen of Vernon Hills, IL; four grandsons, John (Marie Gernes), Andrew (Christina Sloan), Tom (Jessica Scullen), and James (Chelsea Keenan). She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Heggen in 1989.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.