Obituary of Jennifer Heiberg
Jennifer Heiberg
(November 11, 1965 - July 18, 2023)
Jennifer (Voigt) Heiberg was born in Fort St. John B.C to a building contractor and his wife: Bill and Grethe Voigt. It was a day to remember, November 11, 1965. She was the firstborn of two daughters. Jennifer's first collection of words was "Go get it, I need it." Her ambition and drive were evident at a young age. Home movies show that she was willing to be a part of the action where ever it was.
Jennifer was two and a half years old when she and her parents welcomed her sister, Ruby, into the family. It wasn't long before she took on the role of caring for her sister.
Jennifer took her first year of Grade One at Robert Ogilvie School in Fort St. John. She was seven years old when her family left the construction business to go farming fifty miles from Fort St. John on her grandparent's farm in a community called Flatrock. She continued her education at Clearview School. She excelled in academics, sports, and music. She would go to church on a Sunday morning, listen to the hymns, and come home and play them on the organ from memory. When the school had a track meet, it was Jennifer that collected the ribbons and trophies. A classmate of hers remembered her with the words "She was fast".
Jennifer started driving when she was eight years old. Her father got her behind the wheel of the 1960 International truck but she was too short to pump the brakes, so she drove the truck into the tractor. By the time she was eleven years old, she was driving a load of lambs to Edmonton (she drove the night shift so her Dad could sleep.) This was the seventies. Things were done differently then. It's no wonder that she graduated with a Class 1A license driving semi-trucks, tractors, and motorcycles.
Jennifer was active in all aspects of farm life for the ten years that her parents raised sheep. Again, it's no wonder that she became the most amazing, hardworking, and diligent farmer (not just a farmer’s wife… she set others straight on that label).
Jennifer attended boarding school at L.C.B.I. for the years of 1980-1983 and graduated as the valedictorian of her class. Jennifer worked in Saskatoon after her graduation and then went to Camrose to take half a year at C.L.B.I. She then took two years of school at Camrose Lutheran College (Augustana) in Camrose before moving on to the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor's degree in Commerce. (She had originally started in Education, but changed majors midstream).
Jennifer married Gordon Heiberg in the fall of 1988 and joined him in his farming life. Jennifer and Gord were blessed with two sons: Benjamin (1990) and Sean (1992). Together they made the most ambitious farming family.
Gord, Jennifer, Benjamin, and Sean developed a very precious family relationship. They camped and traveled together regularly. They curled, skied and generally lived sports together. The ability to have fun together made working together as a family both a joy and a privilege that is rare, and certainly not taken for granted. (written by Jennifer for Ben's obituary)
Jennifer's heart and love for others and her community are evident in her time spent with her Bardo Lutheran Church family; multiple mission trips to Guatemala, and with B.C. Mission Boat Society to Vancouver Island; caring and advocating for those disadvantaged in her community, and countless hours of picking up garbage for the annual Highway Cleanup.
She loved numbers and doing books. She was the treasurer for her church for many years and helped others in the community in the same capacity. She really was the volunteer administrative assistant for the church picking up tasks that no one else thought about doing.
Music was always a big part of her life. She played music regularly at church, sang, and directed different musical endeavors. While the boys were still living at home, she directed a band of “misfits” at church called Grace Notes, often arranging music that just suited the abilities of the various members.
Jennifer enjoyed multiple trips with her family across Canada, the USA, and around the Caribbean in the colder months. She loved the warm and sandy places.
The members of Jennifer's family that have passed on before her are grandparents Franz and Johanna Voigt, Jens, and Sigrid Andersen; father Bill Voigt; son Benjamin Heiberg; father and mother-in-law Andy and Bernice Heiberg, sister-in-law Grace Schacher and aunt Joan Andersen.
The members of Jennifer's family that remain to grieve her loss are her husband of almost 35 years, Gordon Heiberg, son Sean Heiberg, mother Grethe Voigt, sister Ruby (Manfred) Neumann, brother-in-law Lyle (Rebecca) Heiberg, brother-in-law Robert Schacher, sister-in-law Elsa (Arlen) Salte. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and beloved friends.
A Funeral Service was held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 31, 2023, at the Bardo Lutheran Church 5609 48 St, Tofield, AB. The service was recorded and can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/VtBYcpd79Zo?feature=share
If you wish to view the slideshow on its own please click on the following link: https://youtu.be/qmkroeFUPKU.
If family and friends so desire, memorial donations are gratefully accepted to Bardo Lutheran Church, Impact Hope (project Nebaj, Guatemala), or the charity of one's choice.
