Obituary - Shirley (Moen) Heppner

Shirley (Moen) Heppner of Havre, Montana, 85, passed away peacefully of natural causes at the Big Sandy Medical Center July 24, 2023. 

She was born in Newport, Washington, January 19, 1938, to Hans and Dorothy Moen. She enjoyed her younger years growing up in the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, area, and spent her school years in Bridgeport, Washington, where she met the love of her life, Bob Heppner. They both graduated from there in 1957 and married one year later.  They enjoyed 63 years of marriage until his death in 2021. 

Shirley continued her education by attaining her BA in special education and her Master of Education from Lewis Clark State College.  She was the director of the Mary Kay School in Ontario, Oregon, and also served as a high school principal at Fraser High School and Box Elder High School until her retirement in 1987. 

She and Bob enjoyed being in the outdoors. Fishing was a favorite, especially in Alaska, where they enjoyed retirement for two years. Playing pinochle was also a pastime with family and friends. Shirley was an avid reader with a big glass of ice-cold Diet Pepsi never far from her hand. 

Life was an adventure. Bob and Shirley provided wonderful opportunities for many foster kids and foreign exchange students over the years, as well as their own three children.  They enjoyed camping and spent many summers on the road traveling all over the country.  

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and son Todd Heppner.

She is survived by her daughter, Diann (Martin) Lund of North Bend, Washington; son David (Sherri) Heppner of Vaughn, Montana; brother, Richard (Carol) Moen of Spokane, Washington; four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren, and two nieces.  

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Holland and Bonine Funeral Home in Havre. A private family memorial service will be held September 2. 

Memorial contributions in Shirley's name may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation at MSAA, 375 Kings Highway North, Suite B, Cherry Hill, NJ 08024, or to the Big Sandy Medical Center, 166 Montana Avenue East, Big Sandy, MT 59520.