Cleo Eileen Heck 1925-2009

HECK BAKER KIRK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 1/7/2010 at 21:03:00

Sioux City journal
3 Sept 2009

SLOAN, Iowa - Cleo K. Heck, 83, of Sloan died Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, Iowa, following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa, with the Rev. Todd Owen officiating. Burial will be in Onawa Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at the funeral home.

Cleo Eileen was born Dec. 27, 1925, in Onawa, the daughter of Joseph and Bertha (Baker) Kirk. She was raised in the Onawa area, where she attended country school. She later graduated in 1942 from Onawa High School.

She attended and graduated from the National Business College in Sioux City. While living in Sioux City, she entered the Miss Bombardier contest and won the title of Miss Bombardier at the Sioux City Air Base in 1942.

She moved to California and was married to Paul Heck on Nov. 6, 1946, at Treasure Island, Calif. Paul was stationed with the U.S. Navy in Connecticut, Virginia and Cuba. During this time, she worked for the government. They also were stationed in Norfolk, Neb., where Paul was on recruiting duty. Paul died March 17, 1990, in Sioux City.

After her children were born, she became a full-time homemaker. She loved traveling with her family, camping and trying her hand at raising roses. Her best times were spent with her three grandsons, and they enjoyed the special times with her.

Survivors include a daughter, Suzanne (Randy) Bartels of Akron, Iowa; a son, Richard Paul Heck of Smithland, Iowa; three grandsons, Brett Walking Eagle of Sheldon, Iowa, Scott Robert of Akron and Christopher Paul Heck of Dakota Dunes, S.D.; a great-grandson, Dylan Walking Eagle; and a sister, Glenda (Merrill) Wiggs of Sloan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; a brother, Joe Kirk Jr.; and three sisters, Betty Jean Kirk, Shirley Hofling and Rosalie Sanders.