Heidi Lillian Warner

HEIDI LILLIAN WARNER FEB. 24, 1925 - FEB. 27, 2008 Heidi died peacefully on February 27, 2008, three days after her eighty-third birthday. As one of eleven children of Emil and Nora Hovgaard, Heidi was born on February 24, 1925, in Fort Ransom, North Dakota. Heidi graduated from high school in St. Paul, Minnesota. Afterwards she went on to pursue her Bachelors Degree at Reed College, Georgetown University, and later, Stanislaus State where she attained her B.S. in Political Science. Heidi moved to Modesto in 1951, after she and her husband Bill decided to raise their family and establish roots in the community. Heidi's vision was to be remembered for being open-minded, dedicated, and a leader for women in the workplace. Heidi's first accomplishment was becoming the first female Planning Commissioner serving from 1957-1968 for the City of Modesto. The position of Planning Commissioner enabled Heidi to think big. She then became the first woman ever to run for a seat on the City Council. These endeavors led to Heidi's greatest achievement of all- spearheading the drive to establish a cultural center in 1965, which culminated with the McHenry Museum in 1972. Heidi went on to serve as the Museum Coordinator for 24 years. The success of the museum is in great part due to Heidi's beloved docents and all of the volunteers who held the same vision as Heidi and who have molded the McHenry Museum into what it is today. From 1965-1981, Heidi received many awards for her service to the community and the citizens of Modesto, as well as for her leadership in business. Upon retiring from the Museum Heidi spent many afternoons playing bridge, tennis on Sundays, and quality time with her grandchildren. The bridge clubs that Heidi participated in were some of Heidi's most cherished times. She loved her friends very much. Tennis at the Modesto Fitness and Racquet Club was an activity that Heidi's children loved and she enjoyed taking the kids on tennis tours with her great friend and Tennis inspiration'' the late Fred Earle. The Racquet Club was where you could find Heidi most Sundays playing doubles with her friends. Heidi's love for tennis led her to travel around the globe to each Grand Slam Tournament. The tournaments and the different cultures that surrounded each city inspired Heidi to continue traveling for most of her life. Heidi's health never deterred her from travel; last year alone she went with her adopted daughter'' and best friend of forty years Susie Hillard Preissner and her husband Roland to Costa Rica. Heidi was such a charismatic individual who held her zest for life until the end. She will be greatly missed but in our hearts forever. Heidi was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Ben, Norris, Van, Donald, Dennis, Bruce, and Effie. Heidi has three sisters, Grace, Alice, and Rosemary who survive her. Heidi had three children Doug of Vacaville, Robert and daughter-in-law Anne of Modesto, and Richard and daughter-in-law Julie of Petaluma who survive her. Heidi also had five incredible granddaughters Nellie of San Diego, Elizabeth of Monterey, Alexandra of Riverbank, Helen of San Diego, and Caitlin of Modesto. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of life at the McHenry Museum April 19, 2008 from 5-7 P.M. Remembrances may be offered to the McHenry Museum & Historical Society, 1402 I. Street, Modesto, CA 95354 or Community Hospice 4368 Spyres Way Modesto, CA 95356.www.modbee.com/obituaries