Ann J. Hejde

              Ann was born in Lead, South Dakota on February 18, 1936, the daughter of Ava and John Moodie.  She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother John (Jack) Moodie Jr. and a sister Jill Moodie Obenaus.  Ann is survived by her husband Cal; daughter Valorie Gusso and husband, Clark Gusso and their children, Kirby (Karen), Kaitlyn, Karlee, & Kemper of Belle Fourche; son Geoffrey Hejde and his children, Christopher, Stacy, and Chance of Rapid City, SD and son John Hejde, Manteca, CA.  Ann spent the first years of her life with her parents in Lead, South Dakota where she attended twelve years of school, graduating from Lead High School in 1953.  During that period of her life, she enjoyed her many friends, played in the Lead High School band and attended her first year of college at Northern Colorado University, in Greeley, CO.  For her second year of college, Ann attended Black Hills Teachers College, where she met and later married her husband of 55 years, Cal Hejde.             During her years at Black Hills Teachers College, Ann was very active in the “Prop and Liners Club,” and participated in many of their activities during the school year.  She was also nominated as a member of the “homecoming Queens court,” and participated in the homecoming activities of that year.  Ann and Cal were married on July 9, 1955 and they immediately departed for Quantico, Virginia where Cal began his Marine Corps career.             During her years as a military wife, when Cal was on duty overseas, Ann raised 3 children and did splendidly during those lonely years.  During the Vietnam era, Cal was assigned to duty in Okinawa, and Ann and the children joined him there for 2 years. The family became one of the first Marine families to have an accompanied tour overseas.  Though the military years were not the best for family life, we were often able to travel to many areas that we normally wouldn’t have been available otherwise.             The family moved to Belle Fourche in 1975 and has lived here since.  During this period of her life, Ann accomplished many things.  She was a teacher’s aide for twelve years in the Belle Fourche School System.  She continued her membership in the Episcopal Church and has served for years as a member of the vestry, as a member of the Alter Guild, and LEM.  Ann joined the Belle Fourche Cowboy Band when they reformed in 1983 and many may remember her as she became “Water Wagon Annie” for the band during the July 4 parade.  Ann also assisted in keeping the historical picture records of the band and served as a committee member on the band board of directors.  For years Ann was involved with the “junior golf” program at the Belle Country Club.  She did so enjoy working with the young golfers.  Ann did volunteer work at the Belle Fourche Museum and enjoyed talking with the many visitors from “out of town.”  Ann was also a member of the local “Questers group,” that moved the “Johnny Spaulding Cabin” to the museum area.               In addition to her many talents, Ann was an artist and demonstrated her abilities in painting in her younger years and developed a talent for stained glass later in her life.  While she was able, she enjoyed making pieces of stained glass for friends and relatives and enjoyed the years when she could join with others at the annual fair at the Belle Fourche Recreation Center.  Square dancing was a challenge to Ann.  She had so much fun learning all of the basic steps and attending dances throughout the area.  Ann was one of charter members of the “Buckles and Bows” square dance club.  Ann also had an affinity for writing poetry and one of her requests was that we include one of her poems with her obituary.  The poem follows: I saw him in the flowers The butterflies and the bees. I heard him in the bird’s sweet song I felt his touch in the breeze. I saw his might in the roaring waves His peace in the love I saw his power in the lightning and thunder His beauty in the rainbow above. I saw him in the dew drops On the ferns one early dawn- He was watching over a sleeping Baby fawn. He road with me when I was desolate He came when I was forlorn- He filled my heart with his warmth- I felt I was reborn. He gave me joy through the miracle of birth- A loving family all around He gave me many friends who care And laughter—a beautiful sound He gave me pleasure in music And the beauty of his world— He gave me the fun of having a pet Like a cat or a pup whose tail curled He healed me when I was broken— He heard my cry of pain He forgave me when I went away He brought me home again. He kissed me through a baby’s lips He hugged me through a child— He watched with me as the children played— And then he smiled. He gave me strength when I was weak— He restored my soul with love- He showed me the light Through the flight of a pure white dove. He wept with me on Good Friday— Then he dried up all my tears He said to me-three-days from now You shall have no fears He gave me wisdom in time of need And hope when there was none— But the best thing that he gave me— He Gave Me His Son! By:  Ann Hejde If Ann could tell how she felt about her life, I think she would say this:  I have had a full and wonderful life, with many periods of joy and a time or two of sorrow.  I know that I will miss out on so many things that I wanted to see and feel.  Thank the good Lord that he has granted me the time here on earth to enjoy and witness the many wonderful things that I have seen and have been able to do. Services for Ann will be held 10:00 A.M. Tuesday October 26th, 2010 at the United Methodist Church in Belle Fourche, with Revs. Evelyn Weaver and Sandy Williams officiating .  Visitation will be held 4 to 7 pm Monday at St. James Episcopal Church in Belle Fourche. Interment will be held 2 P.M. Tuesday in Black Hills National Cemetery, in Sturgis.  Arrangements are with Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. James Episcopal Church and Northern Hills Hospice. FUNERAL SERVICE 10:00 A.M. – Tuesday – October 26th, 2010 United Methodist Church Belle Fourche, South Dakota OFFICIANTS Rev. Evelyn Weaver ~ Rev. Sandy Williams Deacon Mike Weaver SPECIAL MUSIC Organist – Barry Furze ~ Soloist – Marilyn Hespe “You’ll Never Walk Alone” HONORARY CASKETBEARERS Rodrick “Swede” Anderson      Greg Garon     Brad Hodge Christopher Hejde              Greg Lucca ACTIVE CASKETBEARERS John Chaney     Kirby Gusso    Chance Hejde   Robert Hellevang   Randy Nicholas       Jonathan Rogers     Stacy Strickland INTERMENT 2:00 P.M. - Tuesday - October 26, 2010Black Hills National Cemetery Sturgis, South Dakota