December 5, 1934 – August 22, 2024

Myrna lived her life in service to others – her life revolved around family, church, students and community.

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Myrna Lavonne (Shelver) Heppe, age 89, passed away on August 22, 2024, following a four-year journey through cancer treatments.

Myrna was born on December 5, 1934 in Enderlin, North Dakota to Roy and Hilda Shelver. When Myrna was 2 years old the family moved to Auburn, WA where she learned the value of hard work and began her lifelong passion for learning, earning valedictorian honors from Auburn High School. After singing in the college choir and graduating from Pacific Lutheran College she became an elementary school teacher and moved to sunny California.

She met her devoted husband Larry while singing in the church choir in San Jose, CA. Myrna and Larry were married for 53 years. Their life together focused on raising their three children and supporting their studies, sporting events, and musical concerts every step of the way. Myrna was a vocal cheerleader and delighted more in her children’s accomplishments than her own. Her eight grandchildren were beloved recipients of her endless encouragement as she attended every volleyball and soccer game possible and talked with each one on a regular basis, well into her final weeks of life. Symbolic of her love, she created individual quilts for each grandchild as they headed off to college.

Myrna’s life was defined by her enduring faith and commitment to Peace Lutheran Church where she served on every committee imaginable. She shared her passion for music by directing the choir at Peace for 41 years while also playing in the handbell choir. She loved organizing and working with her team to create “special touches” for church and community events with flowers, food, and decorations. She especially adored her friends at Peace and their collective commitment to service.

During her 23 years as a first grade teacher at Nevada City Elementary school, approximately 600 students were fortunate to experience Mrs. Heppe’s caring, creative, and empowering approach to education. She taught kids not only what to learn but how to learn and would frequently say, “Good question, let’s look that up!” One of her greatest joys in life was seeing students whom she had taught to read, go on to become thriving, productive members of the community. Even in retirement, she returned to NCE to teach music where affectionate students often called her “Mrs. Happy.”

Myrna’s contributions extended beyond the doors of home, church and school to the broader community as she and her team from Peace Lutheran regularly prepared dinners for those in need at the Hospitality House. She was always organized and motivated to complete any task and did so with good humor and wit.

Over the years, Myrna enjoyed traveling with family and friends and especially appreciated a trip to Scandinavia to learn more about the culture and her Norwegian heritage. She also embraced the Heppe family genealogy and worked with Larry’s extended family to fill in the family tree and collect their stories.

Myrna will be remembered by all who were fortunate to know her as a role model for how to live a compassionate and meaningful life in service to others. She came to love the Nevada County community and landscape where every day she could be reminded of Psalm 121, “I lift up my eyes to the hills—from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Myrna is survived by her children: David (Cara) Heppe of Nevada City, Lynne (Eric) Ogren of Battle Ground, Washington, Chris (Sheila) Rocker Heppe of McKinleyville, CA and eight grandchildren: Mark (Brett Rousseau) Ogren, Becky (Seth) Miller, Madison Heppe, Katerina (Joseph) Rocker Mayer, Chandler Heppe, Quinn Heppe, Peter Rocker Heppe, and Regan (Jacob) Foster. She was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Adelia and Ezekiel Miller and two more expected soon.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Hilda Shelver and her beloved husband Lawrence F. Heppe.

Memorial contributions may be made to Peace Lutheran Church.

A memorial service will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 828 W. Main St. Grass Valley on Friday, September 27 at 4:00 pm.