Ethel Barbara Marie Heckman

Ethel's service will be viewable at https://vimeo.com/event/5255997 The funeral service for Ethel Heckman, 104, Valley City, ND will be 2 pm Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Memory Gardens, Valley City. She passed on Friday evening at CHI Mercy Health, Valley City. Ethel Barbara Marie Spoerl was born December 22, 1920 in Duluth, Minnesota to Edward and Selma (Kohn) Spoerl. Ethel was baptized and confirmed in Marion, North Dakota where she grew up and attended school graduating from Marion High School in 1938. She graduated from Valley City State College (VCSTC) with a standard degree in 1941. While attending VCSTC, she worked at a local café and met Lawrence Heckman. They were married February 7, 1942. As a new bride, Ethel followed Lawrence and his military services living in many places throughout the United States. Following his discharge, they moved to Valley City, raised their four girls and built their home where Ethel resided for 72 years. Ethel worked at Fidelity Savings and Loan and later at H & S Auto Electric, Lawrence’s business, where she was bookkeeper and much more. Following their retirement, Ethel and Lawrence spent several winters in Russellville, Arkansas where they built their retirement home. Ethel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Valley City since 1945, where she was an active member of the church and Trinity Quilters. In 1947, Ethel was a charter member of her birthday club and card group, still getting together until she was 103. After her family Ethel, had a love of three things: Travel: she was able to visit all 50 states with Lawrence, music: she attended any and all musical events held by the church, high school and college in Valley City, and books: Ethel was a veracious reader logging over 26 pages of single spaced book titles with the librarian always looking for new books she hadn’t read. Most important to Ethel was her family. Her family will remember her as the faithful leader of the family who was the “calm” in the good times and bad. She will forever be remembered. Ethel is survived by her daughters Kathleen A. (Tom) Langemo, Janet L. Heckman; son-in-law Rydell Becker; grandchildren Michelle (Jay) Hansen, Stacey Hanson, Ben (Stacey) Langemo, Chris (Jo Ellen) Langemo, Stephanie (Darren) Volk and Tami (Chris) Olsen; 17 great grandchildren and one great- great grandchild. She is also survived by sisters in law Clarice Heckman, JoAnn Heckman; and many nieces and nephews. Ethel is preceded in death by her husband, daughters Barbara and Pam, son-in-law Gordon Erickstad, brother Edward, sister Darlene and her grandchildren’s spouses Chad Hanson and Laura Langemo.

Ethel Barbara Marie Heckman

December 22, 1920 - July 11, 2025