Obituary of Raymond Heckenlaible

Heckenlaible, Raymond Raymond Heckenlaible, age 87 passed away September 3, 2016 at the Menno-Olivet Care Center, Menno, SD. On-line condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Pallbearers include: Alton Mettler, Myron Mettler, Daniel Mettler, Roger Heckenlaible, Robert Heckenlaible, and Mark Hento. Raymond was born in Freeman, SD to Christian and Paulina (Weidmeier) Heckenlaible on July 17, 1929. He only finished through 6th grade to help work on the family farm. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1952 and was stationed in Germany as a tank driver. Ray married Priscilla Mettler on November 23, 1961. He worked as a truck driver for the Hutchinson County Highway Department until his retirement in 1991. After retirement, he was employed by Mettler Fertilizer for another 10 years. Ray loved to make people laugh and always had a joke and a smile. He was a member of the American Legion for over 55 years and served over 35 years for the Menno Fire Department. Ray is survived by his son, Philip and daughter-in-law, Elisa; granddaughters, Amber and Laura; sister-in-law, Marg Heckenlaible; brother-in-law, Reno Mettler and 3 nephews: Roger Heckenlaible, Rick and Darius Mettler. Ray was preceded in death by his wife, Priscilla, his parents and 6 brothers and sisters.