Mary Heesacker

Mary Heesacker, 88, a resident of the Banks community, peacefully passed away on April 3, 2025, at home.
Mary was born in Hillsboro, OR on April 24, 1936. She was the first of twelve children born to Raymond and Agnes (Vandehey) Hertel. She was raised in Hillsboro on the family farm, and she graduated from St. Mary of the Valley High School.
Mary was introduced to her future husband, Myron Heesacker, at a dance by Mary's Uncle Joe, in April of 1955. They were united in marriage on January 14, 1956, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Hillsboro. They bought a farm outside of Banks and this is where they raised their family. Together they had four children, Larry, Michael, Linda and David as well as an entire community of friends and neighbors.
In addition to being a homemaker and helping with their farm, Mary was a school bus driver for many years. As a bus driver she knew many of the people in the surrounding community, first as children and later as adults. She was one of a small group of parishioners that put together the St. Francis bazaar more than 50 years ago and supported this event with her crafts for many years. As a seamstress, she made everything from baby blankets and bibs to jammies. For the past 34 years she had an annual bazaar in her home every fall while she continued to support many of the local church bazaars.
For Mary, she was proud of her family, her community and the ways she found to give back to these causes that were so dear to her. She was the family matriarch, and she was always leading by her example as well as sharing her thoughts. Mary was active with her parish, St Anthony in Forest Grove, and she was blessed with a deep Catholic faith passed down to her from her parents.
Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Myron, her parents Raymond and Agnes Hertel and her sisters Anna and Grace, and a son-in-law John DiFalco.
She is survived by her children; Larry and Donna Heesacker of Yamhill, Mike and Diane Heesacker of Poulsbo, Linda DiFalco of Tigard and David and Tara Heesacker of Banks. She is survived by nine siblings: Sister Catherine, Barbara, Richard, Al, Dorothy, Joan, Rita, Phil, and Marilyn. She has ten grandchildren: Jeremy, Jared, Ben, Leann, Mitchell, Charlotte, Joe, Katie, Tyler and Emma. She has twelve great grandchildren: Deacon, Kruze, Landen, Kylee, Luke, Nathan, Haylee, Jasmine, Caleb, Cameron, Sophie and Silas. She has two great great grandchildren: Cicily, and Colt as well as numerous nieces, nephews and more on the way.
In her memory, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul, St. Anthony Church, Forest Grove, Oregon.