We are saddened to learn of the death of David Heiller, editor of the Caledonia Argus, whose columns we completely enjoyed, especially those about sheepshead fishing and rattlesnakes.
David R. Heiller, 53, of Brownsville, MN, died unexpectedly January 24, 2007 while attending the MN Newspaper Association Convention in Minneapolis.
David was born August 13, 1953, in LaCrosse, WI to Rona Peter Heiller and Mary Fern (Schnick) Heiller.
David touched countless lives around the world with his compassionate, adventuresome spirit. He graduated from Caledonia High School in 1971. Camp Courage in Maple Lake, MN was blessed to have David during the summers and off-season from 1972-76, which is where he met Cindy. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1976, David spent two years with the Peace Corps teaching in Morocco. He married Cindy on May 31, 1980 and the couple moved to Sturgeon Lake the next year, when David began work for the Askov American newspaper. David and Cindy purchased the paper in 1987, and David continued to serve as editor until they sold the publication in 2003. The Heillers then moved to his hometown of Brownsville where David worked as the editor of The Caledonia Argus from 2003 to the present. In November, David was honored as Writer of the Year by ECM Publishers, parent company of The Argus.
David was a gifted writer, musician, singer, and conversationalist. An avid baseball fan, prolific gardener, and voracious reader, David never stopped learning about the world around him. David loved the outdoors and spent many trips in the BWCA, sharing his passion for canoeing, camping, and fishing. He reached out to everyone he came in contact with in the local community and wherever he traveled, and will be remembered for his sincerity, kindness, and sense of humor.
David was preceded in death by his father, Rona P. Heiller; sister, Lynette Heiller; his grandparents; mother-in-law, Lorely Olson; and father-in-law, Gordon Olson.
David will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends. He is survived by his mother, Mary Fern Heiller of Brownsville; wife of 26 years, Cynthia Anna (Olson) Heiller of Brownsville; son, Noah David Heiller, attending Fond du Lac Community College; daughter, Malika Lynette Heiller, attending Gustavus Adolphus College; sister, Sharon Stiegemeier of Shorewood; brother, Glenn (Marilyn) Heiller of Louisville, OH; sister, Kathleen (Jim) Westberg of St. Charles, IL; sister, Mary Ellen Douglas of Plano, TX; sister, Jeanne (Tom) Roster of Klamath Falls, OR; brother, Daniel (Lisa) Heiller of Casper, WY; brother-in-law, Randy (Therese) Olson of Monticello, MN; sister-in-law, Nancy Olson of Brooklyn Park; and 14 dearly loved nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Monday, January 29, 2007, at the Brownsville Community Center in Brownsville, MN. Visitation will begin at noon, with the service at 2 p.m. Arrangements by Cremation Society of MN.
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