Debbie Marie Hedman
Debbie Marie Hedman of Kalispell passed away Oct. 12, 2004, at Brendan House in Kalispell, surrounded by her loving family.
Debbie was born May 9, 1959, in Whitefish, the daughter of Gene and Marie Hedman. Debbie attended Whitefish schools and graduated in 1977.
She attended San Diego Court Reporting School and became a freelance court reporter, working in Kalispell. She soon started her own business, Hedman Reporting. In 1987, her business grew by adding two new partners, Hedman, Asa, and Gilman Reporting Inc.
Debbie became ill in the fall of 2001; after several months she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She stopped work to begin what became two years of cancer treatments including chemotherapy. Her positive attitude extended her life from the six months that the doctors gave her to over two and a half years. She was an inspiration to other cancer patients and a source of joy and strength for all those who knew her.
Debbie loved to travel and her favorite travel companion was her mother, Marie. Together they traveled to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean. Debbie's hobbies included bowling, hiking in Glacier Park, golfing and playing pool with her dad and friends. She had so many friends that her family had to have a guest book for all of her hospital visitors. Debbie loved her family and friends with a strong passion. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.
She is survived by her mother, Marie Hedman of Kalispell; her father, Gene Hedman and Lenore Jorgenson of Whitefish; brothers, Doug and his wife, Kathy, of Graham, Wash., and Dale and his wife, Annette, of San Jose, Calif.; and half sister, Gina, of New York. She was also the adored aunt to Jenna, Daniel and Paige of San Jose, and Jason and his wife, Rachael, and great-niece, Raylena of Fort Riley, Kan.; and cherished by her maternal grandparents, David and Helen Morris of Whitefish. Debbie was loved and will be missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.
Her paternal grandparents, Vern and Edena Hedman, preceded her in death.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. The Rev. Deborah Schmidt of the Methodist Church in Whitefish will officiate. A private family urn burial will take place at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Whitefish United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice in Debbie's name.