Rena Mae Heckenberg

Rena Mae Heckenberg, 87, of Burlington, died at 11:30 AM Monday, March 22, 2021, at the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria. 

"Don't cry because I'm gone, SMILE because I was here."

Born April 27, 1933, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Clarence Louis and Bertha Beatrice (Davis) Timmerman. On November 19, 1950, she married Edwin James Heckenberg in Burlington, Iowa. He preceded her in death on March 19, 2007, after 56 years of marriage.

She was a homemaker. She also worked for the Auditor's Office for 9 years in Des Moines County and retired in 1993. She had previously worked at the National Research Bureau, Sylvania's, Burlington Instrument Company & Job Service of Iowa. 

She graduated from Burlington High School in 1950, where she was also named Homecoming Queen. 

She enjoyed being with her family, attending her grandchildren's sporting events, music, flower gardening, yard work, reading and puzzles.

Survivors include two sons, Jerry (Joyce) Heckenberg of Burlington and Steven Heckenberg of West Burlington; daughter, Pamela (Scott) Gustafson of Burlington; daughter-in-law, Lynette (deceased: Jim) Heckenberg of Burlington; sister-in-law, Diane Timmerman of Burlington; six grandsons, Luke  Heckenberg, Timothy Heckenberg, Tyler (Courtney) Gustafson, Nicholas Gustafson, Ryan (Bonnie) Underwood, and Nathan Sandrock; two great-granddaughters, Olivia Underwood and Peyton Gustafson; one great-grandson (Peyton's brother) on the way; and one niece, Traci Timmerman.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, two sons, Daniel Joe in 1983 and James Allen in 2015, also one brother, Edward Timmerman in 2009, one grandson, Travis Joe Heckenberg in 2015 and one sister, Maxine Magorian in 2019. 

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

There will be no visitation or services. Rena will be buried with her husband at Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.

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