Selmer Heck

Selmer Heck, 80, of Warren, MN, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2016, in North Valley Health Center, Warren.

Selmer Edward Heck was born on September 8, 1936, to Charles and Florence (Herroit) Heck, in Langdon, ND. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Osnabrock, ND, and attended school in Langdon. He worked on the Herman Tollefson Farm as a youth and received the beginning of his mechanical education first-hand. On February 2, 1958, Selmer was united in marriage to Elaine Marie Amundson in Vang, ND. The young couple made their home in Langdon, where Selmer worked at Christie Motors.

In the fall of 1963, Selmer moved with his family to Warren, where he was employed by Glenn Olson/Quality Motors as the parts manager. In his mid-forties, Selmer started his own custom combining business, Heck Harvesting. He worked his way down to Texas and back, making clients and friends all along the way. His business grew over the years, but he never stopped doing the majority of the work himself, fixing what needed and putting his customers first.

Selmer's work ethic left little time for hobbies, but when he did find time, they were based around mechanics. He restored an antique truck with a friend, which is on display at the Marshall County Historical Society, as well as refurbishing the very tractor he worked with on the Tollefson Farm when he was 16. In these and other projects his motto was, “If you're going to do something, do it right the first time,” and he always did; a lesson he passed on to his daughters and grandchildren. He also enjoyed teaching his family how to water ski, though they never were able to master his technique of using a single-ski and running onto the shore without getting wet.

Selmer was a member of Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks, MN. His greatest wish was for his family to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Selmer is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Elaine; three daughters, Tammy (Steve) Filipi of Fertile, MN, Terryl (Scott) Pearson of Sauk Centre, MN, and Tonya Turnham of Grand Forks, ND; four grandchildren, Alicia (Daniel) Gagner, Ashley (John) Fisher, Kinsey (Ryan) Bain, and Keenan Pearson; three great-grandchildren, Ashtyn Gagner, Ayden Gagner and John Fisher IV; seven brothers, Duane of Langdon, James (Sharlene) of Bismarck, Carlton (Linda) of Walhalla, Richard (Barbara) of Bottineau, Larry (Elfie) of Seattle, Marvin (Beth) of Munich, and Leonard (Monica) of Langdon; four sisters, Marjorie Thompson of Langdon, Caroline (John) Knutson of Walhalla, Janice (Larry) Peterson of Langdon, and Connie Close of Langdon and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Selmer was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Florence; brothers, Gordon and David; sister-in-law, Lois Heck; brothers-in-law, Richard Close and Willard Thompson; nephews, Steven Heck and Clint Close, and grand-niece, Carri Jo Heck.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 11:00 AM on Friday, September 30, 2016 at Evangelical Covenant Church in Warren, MN.

VISITATION: After 5:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday at DuBore Funeral Home in Warren, MN and one hour before the service on Friday at the church.

INTERMENT: Greenwood Cemetery, Warren, MN

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