Helen ‘Jeanette’ Kern Hartzler Heidebrecht

December 29, 1940 – October 5, 2025

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of our dear mother, Jeanette, on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Calgary, Alberta, at the age of 84. Jeanette was born in Clifton Forge, Virginia, on December 29, 1940, the second oldest child of Curtis and Elizabeth (Liptrap) Kern. She entered her heavenly home after courageously living with frontal lobe dementia for the past eight years.

In 1956, Jeanette applied to become a student at Prairie High School in Three Hills, Alberta. She arrived at Prairie unaware that her application had been refused, but the administration chose to keep her on probation. It was there that she met Reginald (Reg) Hartzler.

On August 10, 1960, Jeanette married Reg Hartzler of Carstairs, Alberta. Four children were born to them. Their first, Debbie, passed away after two days; their other three children – Gregory, Bradley, and Denise – stand as a testimony to God’s miraculous care through difficult pregnancies, births, accidents, and illness.

In addition to caring for her family, Jeanette dedicated her time to youth, mission, and volunteer work. The Hartzler home was always open to visitors – whether students from Prairie or Carstairs School, youth from the Didsbury Missionary Church where they served as leaders, or people from all walks of life.

After 21 years of farming in Carstairs, the family moved to Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, where Reg’s work in the oil patch had taken him. They attended the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church and came to appreciate its traditions and expressions of faith. For 12 years, Jeanette led a home-based program called 3-D: Diet, Discipline, and Discipleship, bringing together people from many denominations in mutual support and fellowship.

Tragically, on August 20, 1994, Reg passed away suddenly from an undiagnosed heart condition while working in Provost, Alberta. Jeanette was left to face the pain of grief and the silence of an empty home. Through her faith, she learned that “pain is inevitable, but misery is a choice,” choosing healing and allowing Christ to restore her heart.

In 1995, Jeanette sold her home in Rocky Mountain House and returned to Carstairs to renovate their former family home.

In September 1996, over coffee with friends Toby and Verda Penner, she learned of the recent loss of George Heidebrecht’s wife, Erika. Having met George once before, she reached out to offer comfort from her own experience. Their friendship deepened quickly, and as George liked to say, “We weren’t dating or courting—that’s for young people—we were seeing each other.”

Jeanette and George were engaged on August 24, 1997, and married on November 16, 1997, at Dalhousie Mennonite Church in Calgary, where George was a member. George moved to her farm, where he felt instantly at home. They later began attending Bergthal Mennonite Church, which they lovingly called “our church.” They were deeply grateful for the sense of family and belonging they found there.

In 2017, Jeanette began to show signs of cognitive decline, and within two years was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia. The greatest impact was on her speech, which she lost completely within the next two years. By the time of her passing, she was unable to communicate or care for herself.

In January 2020, George moved into a supported living facility, while Jeanette remained on the farm with the devoted help of home care, friends, and family. George passed away on April 14, 2022. By June of that year, Jeanette’s needs had increased, and she moved into Holy Cross Manor in Calgary, where she remained until her passing.

Jeanette will be dearly missed by her children Gregory (Valerie), Bradley (Rebecca Burrill), and Denise (Cody) Hartung; her cherished grandchildren – Natalie, Ethan, Gabriel, Brittany (Seth) Caralle, Felicia (Caleb) Metze, Lane Hartung, and Max Hartung – and her two beloved great-grandchildren, Lydia Hazel Metze and Henry Reginald Metze. She will also be lovingly remembered by the Heidebrecht family; her sisters Patricia (Roland) Cumor and Brenda (Archie) Lynn; and her brother Raymond Kern.

Jeanette was predeceased by her parents; infant daughter, Deborah; first husband of 34 years, Reginald Hartzler; granddaughter, Sophia; grandson, Addison; second husband of 25 years, George Heidebrecht; and five siblings – Jean, Porky, Tommy, Joe, and Bill.

A visitation was held at Heartland Funeral Services, 1413 – 21 Avenue, Didsbury, Alberta, on Friday, October 17, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

A Memorial Service was held at West Zion Mennonite Church, 10 – 2155 Township Road 304, Carstairs, Alberta, on Saturday, October 18 at 1:00 p.m.

Donations in Jeanette’s memory may be made to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC Alberta Office), 210, 2946 – 32 Street NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6J7, 403-275-6935.

Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of Heartland Funeral Services, 1413 – 21 Avenue, Didsbury. 403.335.4773.

• Date : 2025-10-25
• Location : (Didsbury) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com