H. Donald Heier

Don Heier, 89, passed away Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.

Don was born October 26, 1932 to Henry Martin and Alma (Olson) Heier in Michigan, ND.  He attended and graduated from Michigan High School in 1950.  He spent a semester at the University of North Dakota after which he enlisted in the United States Air Force at the onset of the Korean War.  He was stationed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, Shepherd AFB, Wichita Falls, Texas and Lowery AFB, Denver, Colorado.  At Lowery, he received training in munitions and was stationed at Patrick AFB at Cocoa Beach, Florida where he served in the First Pilotless Bomber Squadron.  Following his tour of duty, he spent five years in the  reserves and was honorably discharged in 1957. 

Don attended Mayville State College where he received his Bachelor Degree and began teaching in Fertile, MN.  In 1960, he moved to Grand Forks and taught at South and Schroeder Junior High Schools.  In 1966, Don received a Master’s Degree in Education from UND and in 1971 a Specialist Degree in Education Administration.  He served as Vice Principal of Schroeder Junior High.  He became Principal of Carl Ben Eielson School where he worked until his retirement in 1990.

Don was active in many professional organizations and served in leadership roles at local, state, and national levels.  He held the chairmanship of NDEA’s Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee for several years.  He also worked as a part-time field representative with NDEA.

Don married Judith Wallace Smith in 1977.  In Don’s word he wrote “She was a valued co-worker, a good friend, and then, the love of my live and my constant companion.”

Following retirement he and Judy traveled throughout the US until 2004 when they purchased a second home in St. Augustine, FL.  Don also became engaged in the pleasant activity of woodworking.  Together they also enjoyed being at their Stump Lake Park campsite just sitting by a campfire visiting with friends.

Don is survived by his wife, Judy;  son Corey, Billings, MT;  daughter-in-law, Pat Arneson, Blaine, MN;  His grandchildren, Jason (Jessica) Heier, Billings, MT, Katie (Joey) Zazulka, Ormsby, MN, and Kelsey (Sean) Miner, Golden Valley, MN;  His great-grandchildren, Harley, Owney, Aaron, Kendall, and Jethro.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and sons, Kevin and Kendall.   

Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m  Monday, November 8, 2021  in Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, ND with visitation one hour prior to the service in the church.  Interment will be at Michigan City Cemetery, Michigan,  ND.  Memorials are preferred to the Northlands Rescue Mission. The funeral service will be available via livestream on Calvary Lutheran Church website  (calvarygf.org)