On Tuesday, February, 27, 1934 in Bloomington, MN, Floyd Joseph was born to parents Henry and Rose (Oxborough) Haeg. Hecker’s childhood years were spent growing up on the family farm in Bloomington, where he enjoyed riding his horse, Black Beauty. He loved exploring and often found himself in predicaments. It became a common phrase in his presence “what the ‘heck’ are you doing now!”, hence, the nickname ‘Hecker,’ given by his uncle.
At the age of 18, Hecker joined the Unites States Marines. He proudly served from December of 1952 to December of 1954, as a truck driver in Japan. Upon returning from Japan, Hecker married a young woman, Helen Ramaker, who he met in the first grade at Assumption Catholic School. On December 28, 1954 at Assumption Church in Richfield, they exchanged wedding vows. They moved to Great Lakes Training Center in Illinois, where he finished his last year working on guard duty and as a prison chaser.
Most of Hecker’s career was spent in the construction business. In 1964, he was part owner/operator of C & H Cement, until 1972 when his partner was killed. Hecker then solely operated the business, with some occasional help from his sons, until 1991. For the next year, he proudly donated his talents as the general contractor on the new St. Mary’s Parish Center. In addition, Hecker cut lawn for Stonebrooke Golf Course for 22 years.
Living most of their years in Bloomington, Hecker and Helen moved their six children to an18 acre hobby farm in Marystown in 1973. As a family they created many special memories. Especially in 1980, when they planted 6000 asparagus roots and later sold them to local grocery stores. In 1998, Hecker and Helen moved to Prior Lake.
A love for flower and vegetable gardening, Hecker also enjoyed seaching for Morrell Mushrooms. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and traveling to Hawaii with his wife. Well known for refinishing of antique furniture, Hecker too enjoyed playing darts, dice, cards and taking his chance on pull tabs. The biggest passion in life was his family. They meant the world to him and he relished being a loving husband, compassionate dad, caring grandpa and fun loving great-grandpa.
Meticulous in nature, Hecker was generous, hard working, loved to tell stories and play practical jokes. But yet, he was a faithful servant of the Lord. A resident of Prior Lake, formerly of Marystown, Hecker was 78 years young when he passed away peacefully in the presence of his family at his home, the evening hours of Tuesday, July 31, 2012.
Forever loved, Hecker will be deeply missed by his wife of 57 years, Helen; children, Lisa (Jeff) Valiant of Shakopee, Joe (Mary Jo) Haeg of New Prague , Jess (Tami) Haeg of Jordan, Amy (Mike) McNeely of Burnsville, Chris (Dean) Bisek of New Prague, Sarah (Steve) Grim of Shakopee; grandchildren, Jess (Carrie) Valiant, Tim, Kate and Adam Valiant, Amanda, David and Dustin Haeg, Madison and Nick Haeg, Melissa, Matt and Jack McNeely, Emily and Abby Bisek, Joe, Colby and Brady Grim; great-grandchildren, Carter Bisek and Alex Valiant; sisters, Aggie Soll of Rochester, Audrey Mergens of Hackensack, Dee (Mike) Knapp of Inver Grove Heights; sister in law, Rosemary Haeg of Rosemount; many other loving relatives and lifelong friends.
Hecker is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Rose; brothers, Robert and Eugene Haeg, brother-in-laws, Norrie Soll, and Ed Mergens. Urn bearers for Hecker will be his sons, Joe and Jess.
The visitation will be on Friday, August 10th from 4-8 pm and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, August 11th at 11 a.m., all at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church of Marystown, 15850 Marystown Road, Shakopee. Father Jim Schoenberger will officiate. Hecker will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s of Marystown Catholic Cemetery, with full military honors provided by the Shakopee Volunteer Rifle Squad.
The Haeg family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Shakopee Chapel.
