Art Heschel

Arthur “Art” Heschel, age 76, passed away peacefully at the Herbert and District Integrated Health Care Facility on Friday, October 12, 2018 with family by his side after a lengthy and courageous seventeen yearlong battle with cancer. Arthur Hugo Victor Heschel was born April 16, 1942 to Hugo & Hedie Heschel at Saint Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB. Art grew up on the family farm in the Calderbank, SK district along with his brother, Rick, and sister, Sharon. He attended school at Tuxedo school, Ernfold school, and Morse school, where he graduated in 1959.

Art kept busy after graduation — he attended Technical school in Moose Jaw, SK, worked on the family farm, worked with his dad and brother, Rick building telephone lines, and worked for a few different farms at Calderbank and Riverhurst. In 1962, he along with his buddy, Buck, went to Thompson, MB to work in the nickel mine — an experience he often talked about. They both returned home in August of 1962 to attend Buck’s sister Doreen’s wedding. Shortly thereafter, Art was offered the elevator manager position with Pioneer Grain in Calderbank. After the Calderbank elevator closed, he was offered the elevators in Morse, SK and bought there until 1974. It was in Morse where he met his first love, Gloria Spate.

In 1966, Art bought the family farm in the Glenn Kerr/Log Valley area and on August 5 of that year married Gloria. Their daughter, Lana, came along in 1968 followed by their son, Geoff, in 1969. In 1974, after several years of buying grain and farming, Art and family moved to the farm. Together, Art & Gloria worked hard to transform the farm. They planted hundreds of trees, did landscaping, built all new corrals, a shop, a new house…they worked tirelessly together and were both very proud of how the farm turned out. In 1989, Gloria passed after her own fight with cancer. Although devastated, Art carried on.

In 1991, Art began dating his second love, Carol Erhardt. Carol, like Gloria, shared his passion for farm life, and they were married October 17, 1992 in Morse. Together, they worked meticulously on and maintained the family farm throughout the following years. Art loved farming and all the tasks associated with it. Whether it be carpentry, welding, wiring, plumbing, or mechanical work, he enjoyed them all. He was a perfectionist. His farm, equipment, buildings, and yard were always kept in tip top shape. Art also loved working with cattle and maintained a 50-70 head herd most of the years he farmed. He also enjoyed music and could play the guitar, harmonica, and accordion.

Art was also very community minded, he coached hockey and served several organizations. He was very proud of serving with the Calderbank Wheat Pool Committee as Secretary, was a Pioneer grain buyer for twelve years, was secretary of the Vermillion Hills Grazing Co-op for 39 years, the Morse Elks, the Morse Skating Rink Board, was the Chairman for the Morse School Board, the Morse Co-operative Association Board, the Herbert-Morse Hospital Board, and as chairman for the Morse Credit Union board. Art also greatly enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He was always there to help out the community, a neighbour, or family when needed. Whether it be immediate family, extended, or in-laws, he greatly enjoyed spending time with them all. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, he lit up every moment they spent together.

Art was predeceased by his wife, Gloria Heschel; his parents, Hugo & Hedie Heschel; his brother, Edgar, in infancy; his parents-in-law, William “Bill” & Amelia “Millie” Spate; his sister-in-law, Verna Cummings; and by his brothers-in-law, Lorne Cummings, Dale Spate, and Jim Lane. Art will forever be remembered by his loving wife, Carol Heschel; his children, Lana (Matt) Maier and Geoff (Colette) Heschel; his step-children, Laurie (Mark) Wilson and Anita (Mark) Bell; his grandchildren, Jorah Maier, and Landon, Mataya, and Garrett Heschel; his step-grandchildren, Nathan (Kate) Wilson and Jordan Wilson; his great-grandchildren, Harper and Georgia Wilson; his brother, Erick (Marlene) Heschel; his sister, Sharon (Lee) Weppler; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Don (Elaine) Spate, Carrie Lane, Nettie Spate, Larry (Joan) Spate, Lorne (Dee) Spate, Bob (Carol) Spate, Wally (Iris) Ullrich, Willie (Edna) Boehmer, Mel Ulrich, Randy Ulrich, and Mona (Ed) Carlson; and by his many nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Life for Arthur “Art” Heschel was held on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 2:00 pm from Morse Community Hall, Morse, SK with Tom Weppler officiating. “In the Garden,” by Alan Jackson, “Old Rugged Cross,” by the Statler Brothers, “Go Rest High on that Mountain,” by Vince Gill, and “I’ll Go to my Grave Loving You,” by the Statler Brothers were played for special music. The Scripture reading was Psalm 23. The obituary was read by Rick Heschel (brother). The eulogy and tributes were given by Mataya Heschel (granddaughter) and Colette Heschel (daughter-in-law), followed by a photo presentation. The Private Interment Service was held prior to the Celebration of Life from Memory Lane Cemetery, Morse, SK with Gordon McKay, Ron Roh, Harold Dueck, Jerry Gerbrandt, Warren Beach, Bruce Gall, and Bob Moss serving as Pallbearers. The Honorary Pallbearers were Irwin & Vera Gerbrandt, Ken Nelson, Bertha Wells, Lorne & Darlene Nicholson, Marcel & Lisa Paquet, George & Myrna Coates, and Jack & Laura Weppler. In memory of Art Heschel, donations made to the Morse Museum and the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family. 

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