Gerald ‘Jerry’ Dwayne Heitmann, 82
Dad was born to Art and Emma on April 8, 1938, on the family farm South of Anamoose, North Dakota. He joined his older siblings Millie and Don with little sister Nancy completing the family a few years later.
At a very young age, dad contracted polio and spent nearly a year fighting in the hospital to re-learn normal use of the left side of his body. He was very determined even at his young age to minimize the impact of his illness. The disease affected his left leg and arm in particular, but he refused to let it hold him back. He played hard like any kid, was on the high school basketball team and endeavored to become a Marine after graduation, but the disease that he tried so hard to disregard rendered that attempt impossible.
Shortly after Marine boot camp, Dad moved to St. Louis in order to earn a degree as a diesel mechanic. He went to college full time and worked part time at a bowling alley owned by Stan Musial, (Cardinals baseball great, “Stan the man”) to pay his way. Dad developed a love for Cardinals baseball, along with an intense appreciation for the generosity and friendship of Mr. Musial that he spoke of many times during his life. Dad loved to bowl and enjoyed being on a league for many years after his time in St Louis.
After receiving his degree, Dad took a job with Conrad Implement in Conrad, Montana. Also working there was a young secretary named Mavis. It seems that God had a plan when Dad talked with Grandma Alice (Mavis’s mom) expressing his desire for a friend to bowl with. Shortly after, Mom and Dad became bowling partners and it didn’t take long for that relationship to grow into something much bigger. They were married on May 11, 1963. After the wedding, both were ready for a change from Conrad and they moved to Missoula where Dad had accepted a job with Davies Equipment Inc. As their love grew, so did their family and while living in Missoula, they were blessed with three children (Kent, Darrin and Roxanne). In 1973 Dad was asked to move to Kalispell to become the branch manager of Davies Equipment Inc. on East Idaho Street. Less than two years later, that building fell victim to what was a series of arson related fires in the Kalispell area, and Dad was asked to lead the construction of the new John Deere Store that still resides south of town. He was manager of that store until the early ‘80s.
After leaving John Deere, Dad was offered a job working at Rygg Ford and quickly became sales manager, holding that position until 1998. He enjoyed visiting with people and could make easy conversation, which directly supported his success as a salesman. While working with the public, Dad made many friends and loved to tell his stories to anyone who’d listen. After retiring he never slowed down. He’d get up early and meet his friends for coffee and then be sure to get his walks in or go for a bike ride, a passion he picked up after his retirement. He fought the impact of Post-Polio Syndrome daily with exercise, often riding his two-wheeler up to 20 miles per day.
Dad never entertained any belief that he was disabled despite living in pain most of his adult life, especially on the cold, rainy days. He certainly expressed the intense pain at times but, to his family, he was the strongest man in the world. Dad cherished family time camping, boating, bike riding and going for long drives. Gathering firewood in the summer was an honored tradition and shoveling the snowy walkway in winter was important as some struggled to get around as well as he did. Dad loved mowing his lawn and once the work was complete, he found a lawn chair underneath the apple tree as a welcome reprieve.
Well into his 70s now, Dad began to struggle with balance and wrestled with the thought of giving up his passion for riding a bicycle. Unwilling to accept this, we kids partnered up to find a suitable three-wheeler that he could ride. On Fathers Day in 2017, with a bike purchased the gift was soon delivered. He sat on it, pedaled around the driveway saying “I think this might work.” For the next three years he rode his new bike with enthusiasm, clocking over three thousand miles, rarely missing a day in the seat, weather permitting. Dad said when riding he felt “free” and the aches of his body disappeared. He couldn’t wait to get back outside and thoughts of riding his bike again at 82 years young following a mild heart attack in late September was all he talked about.
Dad, you taught your children strength, determination and to never give up. Darrin will carry on your tradition of radish sandwiches with a chair set up in the corner of his shop in case you want to visit while he’s working. Kent will keep your stories alive and take the urn for ATV rides until we place you with Grandma and Grandpa in the spring, and Roxanne will make sure people know that toast with raspberry jam and a slice of cheddar cheese is a fabulous snack.
Family will remember how peaceful you looked laying in your recliner when you were called home to heaven. It’s difficult to say goodbye but we are comforted to know you’re pain free and waiting until we can all be together again.
Dad leaves behind his wife, Mavis, of 57 and a half years; his sons, Kent Heitmann, Darrin Heitmann and wife Barbara; daughter, Roxanne Swartzenberger and husband John; and sister, Nancy Berry and husband Gaines. He also leaves many adored grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Dad’s celebration of life will be held at a later date in 2021.
Dad, we miss you so much, the hole in our hearts will be hard to fill but our memories will keep you alive.
See you later Alligator
After While Crocodile