Ella Mae Heide

Mason City - Ella Mae Heide, 97, of Mason City, IA died Friday 12 August, 2005 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Her light will forever guide those who had the joy of knowing her love. Private Graveside Services will be held later this week; interment will be in Saint John?s Cemetery in Garner, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to Hospice of North Iowa in her honor. Ella Mae was born October 17th at her family?s farm near Garner, Iowa in 1907. The youngest of four girls born to Albert & Anna (Richter) Knop, she moved with her family to nearby Clear Lake, Iowa at the age of seven. Ella received her education from Clear Lake High School and the State University of Iowa with a degree in English in 1928. She married Clarence Edwin Heide in 1949, and in 1961, they adopted a son, David. Throughout her forty-year career, she was devoted to sharing her enjoyment of literature, drama, journalism and history at high schools throughout Iowa as a teacher, a principal and friend to countless of students. An avid reader, Ella enjoyed writing, reading American literature, world travel and corresponding with her French pen-pal from 1919 until her death in 1995. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City, and prior to that time, was deeply involved in various education programs at both Trinity and Gloria Dei Lutheran churches in Des Moines where she lived for more than forty years. She was also very proud of her endeavor with her sister Dorothy, with whom she built a mission church and parsonage in South Kerala, India in honor of their parents. This commitment endured for nearly fifty years. Ella Mae is survived by her son David and his partner, Michael Crull of Saint Paul, Minnesota; nieces Norma Jean Gobeli of Mason City, IA; Darlene Jacot of Saint Ansgar, IA; Betty Dennis of Canoga Park, CA; nephews William Woiwod of Sun City, CA; and Robert Woiwod of Rancho Palace Verdes, CA and special teaching friend of 77 years Mary Bea Beal of Hemet, CA. Ella was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Clarence and her three sisters, Nettie, Emma & Lillie.

Visitation:
9:00 AM to 9:00 AM at on August 16, 2005 (map/driving directions) 9:00 AM to 9:00 AM at on August 16, 2005 (map/driving directions)

Service:
9:00 AM at on August 16, 2005 (map/driving directions)