Loretta Ann Heimeyer

With heavy hearts we announce the passing of Loretta Heimeyer 89, who died on April 29, 2025 at home in the embrace of those who loved and cared for her. Loretta was born in Salem Oregon, August 13, 1935 to Albert and Elizabeth Dornbusch and was one of 10 siblings. She is preceded in death by her parents Albert and Elizabeth and 6 of her siblings Annette, Ron, Rosalie, Larry, Gene, and Dolores. Survived by 3 siblings Mary, Roy, and Steve. Although she spent most of her life in Oregon calling it home, she relocated to Arizona in 2016 to spend the final chapter of her life. There she enjoyed traveling, spending time outdoors, reading, watching the hummingbirds, listening to her favorite song "Danny Boy" and spoiling Bentley her furry best friend. To know Loretta was to experience a strong, loving, determined, generous, kind, loyal and selfless individual. She was a bit mischievous with a witty sense of humor. Her work ethic was unrivaled. She was always there for her family, neighbors, and friends in times of need above all else. Loretta's passion was being out in nature, taking walks, gardening, and watching the clouds as they danced across the sky. She was an avid reader and loved writing poetry. To the very end she was so proud of the award she won in Grammar School for this poem which was etched into her memory forever:
Trees
The trees reveal their thoughts I think
The same as you and I
Do you ever notice how they blink
When the sun shines from the sky
They let their dancing skirts unfold
In the sunny days of spring
And swing and sway till winters cold Comes once again to cling
After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy, she started working for the state, there she became fast friends with Pauline who introduced Loretta to her cousin Bob. The rest as they say is history.
On October 4, 1954 she married Robert (Bob) Heimeyer who was in the Air Force at the time, they relocated several times until settling back down in Oregon. They had four children together. She was preceded in the untimely death of her husband Robert (Bob) Heimeyer leaving her a widow at age 44, where she will be sharing a final resting place with him in Oregon. Loretta is survived by her four children Karin Kelley (Pete), Ricky Heimeyer, Dennis Heimeyer, and Deborah Yanke (Dale), seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Loretta was a fierce protector of her children and loved her family. She never missed an opportunity to share her adventures growing up and the admiration and love she had for all of them. A Rosary Mass in remembrance of Loretta will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Salem, Oregon on Wednesday May 14, 2025 at 1 pm, followed by interment at Belcrest Memorial. Loretta's faith was very strong, in lieu of flowers please have masses said for her.