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Ann Heitstuman

March 15, 1934–March 12, 2024

Ann (Schultheis) Heitstuman, 89, died peacefully at Riverview Memory Care in Spokane, Wash., on March 12, 2024, just three days shy of her 90th birthday.

Born March 15, 1934 in Uniontown, Wash. to Jacob and Frances (Haupt) Schultheis, Ann was the second of five children. She grew up on the farm where there was a lot of hard work but also fun. After attending Catholic School in Uniontown for 11 years, she graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Colton in 1952 as the school in Uniontown had closed. In 1955, Ann graduated from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane and worked there until she married. She then worked at St. Joseph's Hospital in Lewiston, Idaho and at the Garfield County Memorial Hospital in Pomeroy.

She married Bob Heitstuman on June 16, 1956 in Uniontown. They lived in the Clarkston Silcott area for two and a half years after their marriage and then moved to the farm they purchased on Howell Grade in Pomeroy. After purchasing the farm, Ann stayed home to help on the farm and raise their four daughters. They farmed there until their retirement in 1987 when they moved into town. Bob passed away on August 16, 2020.

Ann loved her God, her husband and her family and friends whole heartedly and lived and loved life to the fullest. She was not one to complain and had a "can-do" attitude. Among her passions were reading, especially murder mysteries and medical dramas, watching sports on TV or listening on the radio and she loved playing cards, especially weekly bridge, and pinochle games.

She was well versed on world affairs and local politics and never hesitated to write a letter to the editor or call or write state or national representatives on issues she felt strongly about. She also loved good country music.

Ann said hello to everyone, much to the surprise of strangers on occasion. She was a great cook and loved to bake. The entire family would gather many times throughout the year (a favorite was the annual sausage making weekend) and there was never a shortage of good food. She always had a fabulous vegetable garden that she loved to share with family and friends. She grew beautiful flowers and especially loved roses and gladiolas and usually had several vases of flowers in her home.

She was a devout Catholic and communicant of the Holy Rosary Catholic Parish and active member of the parish and Altar Society until her move to Spokane in 2020. She was a charter member of the Spade Swingers Garden Club, on the Community Action team, served on the hospital board and was an advocate for the facility and otherwise active in community affairs. In 1975 she was chosen Citizen of the Year in Pomeroy. She was the interim administrator at Garfield County Hospital while a search was going on for a permanent administrator and was Emergency Management Director for a time. Ann volunteered countless hours to projects around town and at church. She was extremely generous to her family, friends, and community.

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brothers Carroll and Leigh Schultheis, and sister Myrna Schimmels.

-Submitted photo

Ann Heitstuman

She is survived by four daughters: Cheryl (Pat) Wallace, Carole (Michael) Gauche, Christy Heitstuman, all of Spokane, Connie (Dave) Goude of Walla Walla; five grandchildren: Michelle (Paul), Jeff, Jessica, Jacob (Natalie) and Ryan; four great grandchildren: Jenna, Jackson, Wyatt, and Simon; sister, Lela Sergi, sisters-in-law Karen Schultheis, Edna Mae Schultheis, Joan Landrus, Shirley Heitstuman and Sherryl Heitstuman and many extended family members and friends.

A funeral mass will be held Saturday, April 6, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Pomeroy at 11 a.m. with the Rosary service preceding the mass at 10:30 a.m. Her final resting place will be at the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery with Bob. A dinner will follow at the Catholic school.

Ann loved color so feel free to wear something colorful.

The family would like to extend thanks to the staff of Riverview Memory Care for their care and kindness to Mom the last year and a half.

Memorials may be made to the Holy Rosary Parish Preservation Fund, Morning Star Boys Ranch, Monastery of St. Gertrude, or to a charity of the donor's choice.