Obituary of Heidi Peschken

It is with great sadness that Heidis family announces her passing on Friday, July 2, 2010 at her home with her husband of 50 years by her side. Heidi was predeceased by her parents, Drs. Johann and Kthe Hans, her stepmother Gushie, and her brother Karl. She will be sadly missed by her husband Diether, her four daughters, Katrina (Dave), Christine (Michael), Wiebke (Doug), and Susan (Adil), and eight grandchildren, John, Elliot, Annemarie, Christina, Matthew, Daniel, Joanna, and Paul, her brother Dettmer (Doris), her sister Elisabeth, nieces and nephews, and many friends. Heidi was born in Hohenkirchen, Germany on August 1st, 1930, the second of four children. After completing a PhD in plant pathology and entomology, she came to Winnipeg in 1959 as a post-doctoral fellow. She met her future husband at the University of Manitoba and, after a brief courtship, she and Diether were married on June 30, 1960. The couple returned to Germany where Diether completed his education and their first two children were born. In 1964, the young family moved back to Canada and settled in Belleville, Ontario. Two more daughters arrived and Heidi devoted her energies to caring for her family and home. In 1972, Diether was transferred to Regina, where Heidi and Diether lived for the past 38 years. In Regina, Heidi volunteered in a variety of organizations and she was an active member of Sunset United Church. Through the church, she became involved in supporting newly arrived refugees from Eritrea and she will be lovingly remembered by them. Heidis family grew to include sons-in-law and grandchildren. They settled in Winnipeg and Toronto. She continued caring for her extended family by making frequent visits and phone calls, and helping in every way she could. She was hugely helpful when a new grandchild arrived. Despite the distance, Heidi maintained close ties with her siblings and their families in Germany. She also actively cared for Diethers parents and sister as though they were her own. Heidis family and friends have been touched by her kind and generous heart. Whenever we needed her, she was there. Heidi paid attention to the details of our lives and we will miss her deeply. Heidis family wishes to thank her long-time caregiver, Bev, who was a godsend, and more recently, the staff of Helping Hands Bridging Program and the RQHR Home Care service. A celebration of Heidis life will be held on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 at 10:30 AM at Sunset United Church, 177 Sunset Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Heidi may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301 2550 12th Ave., Regina, SK S4P 3X1, the Regina Transition House, Box 1364, Regina, SK, S4P 3B8, or to a charity of your choice. An online book of condolences may be signed at www.speersfuneralchapel.com