Gwenne K Heiser

Gwenne Kathleen Heiser, 94, passed away on June 6, 2023. She was born on August 23, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Charles Henry Duquemin and Ethel Kimber Duquemin formerly from the Channel Island of Guernsey. Gwenne grew up along Lake Michigan's shore with her two brothers, Gordon and David. She graduated from Milwaukee Downer Seminary in Milwaukee where she developed skills as a soloist and pianist.

Gwenne's music studies were shortened when she began to date her brother's West Point roommate, Rolland V. Heiser (Ron), which led to their marriage on February 26, 1949 and the subsequent births of their two daughters, Helen and Charlene. Gwenne spent the next 32 years circling the globe as a military wife, with 33 moves in those 32 years. During that period of her life she managed many accomplishments including counseling military wives and families, and endless volunteer hours with the American Red Cross. On the distaff side, she was the ultimate ambassador representing her husband and the US military on many diplomatic fronts. Her greatest success was her role as mother, always there for her children first.

In addition to these achievements, Gwenne utilized her natural talents and intelligence to pursue things she loved. In the 1950's and 1960's she often performed in Little Theater, she modeled in local venues, and she sang in choirs. She created a radio show that focused on women's issues called "Women's World with Gwenne Heiser" which aired in both Louisiana and Kansas communities. Gwenne also worked in Washington DC in high end retail in Bridal/Couture and management. Always the frustrated career woman, Gwenne received a real estate license in the 1980's and a mortgage broker license in 1990's.

Ron (Lt. Gen.Ret.) retired from the military in 1979 and he and Gwenne settled in Sarasota, Fl. While her husband created a second career as the New College Foundation President, Gwenne was busy with various community volunteer duties. She either volunteered, was a board member, or chaired events for the Sarasota Opera, Sarasota's Garden Club, New College Foundation, and Moffitt Cancer Center's Sarasota Luncheon. By her husband's side, she participated for years in Sarasota's French Film Festival, Wine Auction and Offshore Grand Prix. For their forty plus years in Sarasota, she and Ron spread their efforts throughout the community.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Rolland (Ron), along with her brothers, Maj. Gen.(Ret.) Gordon Duquemin and David Duquemin, and her parents, Charles and Ethel Duquemin. Gwenne is survived by her two daughters, Helen Sanford and her husband Col.(Ret.)Timothy Sanford of Fairfax Station, Va. and Charlene Heiser Wolff and her husband Phillip Wolff of Sarasota, Fl. Gwenne has three grandchildren, Kimberly Frederickson (Alfred Turnmire) of Viola, WI, Gregg Sanford (Jenny Siefert) of Madison, WI and Catherine Wolff of Sarasota, Fl. She was also blessed with six great grandchildren, Hannah Sanford, Gretchen Sanford, Sylvie Sanford, Timothy Frederickson, Gwenne Frederickson, and Luke Frederickson.

A service will be held at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park on Wednesday July 19, 2023 at 12:00pm with a burial to follow at the Sarasota National Cemetery at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to New College Foundation or Moffitt Cancer Center.