LaMar Kenneth Heimbigner

Born July 5, 1930 in the family home in Odessa, WA becoming the youngest of seven children, passed away August 6, 2012 in Odessa, WA. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Marguerite, two children Marla (Ernest) Mills and Wade (Holly) Heimbigner along with four grandchildren Hollye (Todd) Keister, Aron Mills, Joel (Jenny) Heimbigner and Bethany Heimbigner. His sister Edna Janke Jorgenson and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents David and Mary Heimbigner, sisters Mildred Wilskie, Dorothy Beck, Ella Beck Walter and brother Leo Heimbigner. He is a 1950 graduate of Odessa High School where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. In high school he worked at Michaelsen’s grocery store and took harvest jobs. Following graduation he worked as the school’s groundskeeper before becoming Korean Veteran of the US Navy. He served five years on the submarine tender, USS Nereus AS-17. During his service, he was stationed at Bremerton, WA; Astoria, OR; Honolulu, HI and San Diego, CA. He met the love of his life, Marguerite Bauer, through mutual friends in Ritzville. Their first date was at the Ritz Theater. He married his wife, Marguerite, February 21, 1953 at the Bauer family cabin at Sandy Hook Park in Suquamish, WA. After his military service LaMar and Marguerite made their home in Odessa and raised two children, Marla and Wade. He is a lifelong member of the Christ Lutheran Church, and was baptized of February 22, 1931 and confirmed November 28, 1948 and also served as a Deacon, 50+ member Odessa V.F.W. Post 7395, and owned and operated the community garbage services for many years and was the public works director for nearly 25 years retiring in 1985. He was a bus driver for Odessa school and worked for the Grange Supply Company of Odessa. He served as a docent and board member for many years at the Odessa Historiches Museum and was a fixture at the museum’s red barn during Deutsches fest. He enjoyed woodworking, having coffee with friends, playing pinochle, solitaire, watching sports and going to the “River” etc. He was generous, loyal, showed pride in his community, and valued hard work and a job well done. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Christ Lutheran Church, Odessa, WA with Pastor Tim Hauge, officiating. Vault Interment will be held at the Odessa Cemetery, Odessa, WA. Memorials may be made to the Odessa Historiches Museum. Please sign our online guestbook at www.stratefuneralhome.com. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.