On the morning of Friday, August 21, 2015, Toni Fay Heitzman quietly passed away at her home in Shakopee, MN, after a brief encounter with cancer.
Toni’s life will be honored on Saturday, August 29, 2015 with a time of gathering starting at 11 am, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2 pm, both at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee, MN. Pastor Tom Reiner will preside.
As John F. Kennedy was being buried on November 25, 1963, Gordon and Fay (Moats) Ehlert proudly welcomed into their arms a beautiful baby girl, Toni, born in Milwaukee, WI. Growing up in Eau Claire, WI, she was the youngest of seven children. Toni later moved across the Mississippi River to the beautiful town of Winona, MN, to room with a good friend. Here, she managed a bar for many years, until moving to Shakopee, MN. All through life, Toni had a strong passion for bartending and loved the interactions with the customers. In later years, she worked at the Chaska V.F.W., a place Toni truthfully loved working and became the customer’s favorite weekend bartender.
Working as a waitress at Happy Chef Restaurant in Shakopee, Toni’s eyes became focused on one of the regular customers. His name was Patrick Heitzman. She knew instantly deep down inside, that this was the man she was going to marry. Over a glass of free milk, Toni and Pat eventually were married on December 31, 1993. She welcomed with open arms his two children, Bri and Travis and soon two daughters of her own, Chelsie and Lindsie.
As a couple, Toni and Pat enjoyed watching movies, watching hockey and going out to eat, especially to Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant. She relished time spent with her children, particularly going to concerts and seeing movies. As a family, they enjoyed vacationing up and down the shores of the Mississippi River and visiting family in Wisconsin.
The Heitzman home was constantly filled with love and happiness, with the exception of one topic…football! Toni being raised in Wisconsin, has always stayed loyal to her Green Bay Packers and had a special love for Clay Matthews. On the other hand, Pat was faithful to his Minnesota Vikings. Needless to say, the rivalry between Toni and Pat was strong, yet Toni remained a proud cheese head, despite Pat attempts on converting her. Besides football, her other desire was collecting pigs of all shapes and sizes, which Toni proudly displayed throughout her home.
Toni always lived a simple life. Yet her life was truly blessed and fulfilled as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Everyone Toni came in contact, she loved them whole heartedly. Toni was filled with great wisdom and always knew just what to say. She had this big hearty and contagious laugh and a constant smile on her face, which brought comfort to many. Toni was seen in the eyes of Taylor, Amanda, Samantha, Claire, and Whitney as a second mom. She was so proud of her children and were their best friends. Toni’s greatest joy was that of being a grandma, with her eyes lighting up and being consumed with their presence.
Left to carry on Toni’s legacy and will be loved always by husband, Pat; children, Bri (Andy), Travis, Chelsie, Lindsie; grandchildren, Elijah, Jaden, Maya, Spencer; mother, Fay Ehlert; siblings, Karen (Bill), Gerri (Ben), Randy (Robin), Cindy (Fred), Scott, Todd (Chris), many nieces and nephews; other loving relatives and friends.
Toni was greeted with arms open in heaven by her father, Gordon and father-in-law, Marv Heitzman.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation, Shakopee Chapel, proudly served and cared for the Heitzman family. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
