Heidi was born in Balga, East Prussia, where she, her mother, sister and brother were amongst the two million refugees that were hastily evacuated from region during the Red Army’s offensive in January 1945. At the end of the war, Heidi’s family settled in Schoenberg, Schleswig Holstein West Germany where she would grow up enamored by the wind, waves and sandy beaches of the Baltic Sea.
In 1958, she worked as a canteen assistant for the Canadian Military where she met her future husband Ralph. In 1959, Heidi immigrated to Canada and raised her children Sandy (deceased), Susan and Clint in the region of Willow Beach, Ontario. In 1982, Heidi, a single mom at the time, resettled with her two children in Calgary, Alberta where she worked, both proudly and passionately, helping others as a Nursing Assistant and Massage Therapist.
Heidi is remembered for her beaming sense of humor and her passion for wanting to heal the bodies and hearts of others. Despite her own physical limitations that came later in life, she maintained an unwavering commitment to find joy in the day and encourage her children to be healthy and happy. Heidi loved music, writing poetry and spending time outdoors. When she could still do so, Heidi spent time trekking the Rocky Mountains, connecting with nature and swimming in almost every lake or river she encountered. She loved travelling to new places, seeking adventure and frequently making life-long friends with the people she met.
Heidi is survived by her daughter Susan, son Clinton, daughter-in-law Sandi, her sister Regina, her brother Reinhard, sister-in-law Dagmar and each of their extended families. She was predeceased by her daughter Sandy and her parents, Elfriede and Artur Klang.
A celebration of life for family and friends is planned in the coming months, when it is safe to do so.
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