Perry Hekkel
Perry Hekkel, 73, lifetime resident of Culbertson, Mont., passed away peacefully at the Roosevelt Memorial Nursing Home in Culbertson, Mont., on Saturday morning, June 5, 2021. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Williston, N.D., is assisting the family. Friends may sign the on-line register and leave their condolences at www. fulkersons.com.
His funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson, Mont. Pastor Gretchen Wagner officiated. A light lunch followed. Interment was at the Friedens Gemeinde Cemetery, northwest of Culbertson. Friends could call at the church one hour prior to services on Thursday.
The funeral service was broadcast, you can view Perry’s service directly on his obituary page on Fulkerson’s website www.fulkersons. com. Due to COVID-19, we ask that everyone adheres to local and state requirements for social distancing.
Perry Hekkel, 73, passed away at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson on June 5, 2021.
Perry LaVern Hekkel was born Jan. 7, 1948, in Williston, N.D., to John “Pete” and Lorena Hekkel. Perry was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Culbertson. Pete and Lorena raised Perry to first have faith in God, to be polite and respectful and to love everyone.
Perry attended school in Culbertson. He was very proud of his job as a worker for S & S Sanitation, serving Culbertson, Bainville and Froid. He was off to work early mornings for six years, never missing a day of work. After that, he also worked for two additional garbage truck businesses.
Perry’s sister, Marcia “Marcie,” was a constant and inseparable companion. Perry always looked out for and protected his little sister. On one occasion, Marcie and Perry walked to school and the weather turned chilly during the day. When they returned home that afternoon, Marcie had on Perry’s warm jacket and Perry was squeezed into Marcie’s tiny sweater because he didn’t want his sister to be cold.
Marcie helped Perry with a special hooked rug craft that when finished was turned into a pillow. She patiently took each strand of wool and handed it to Perry so he could “hook” them into the pattern. Perry kept “Fox” beside him always, his treasure. Marcie’s favorite endearment was to call Perry “Harry Pickle.”
Perry’s cousins meant the world to him. Whenever he saw one of them, his face would light up a room. With large families on both sides, there are countless memories of cousin fun. On the farm, building a clubhouse, playing outside and cousin birthday parties to name a few.
As an adult, Perry loved being in on all birthday celebrations and family gatherings. He thoroughly enjoyed making trips to Williston to Walmart with cousin Sharon Salvevold, having a hamburger and Pepsi after shopping. Sharon gave him much time, attention and care over the years. Perry loved riding his bike. He enjoyed morning coffee hour at the Wild West Diner with his dad and cousin Larry Hekkel, drinking his favorite, a Pepsi. Every one of Perry's 40+ cousins loved him dearly and has precious memories to keep in their hearts forever.
Perry loved animals. His favorite pet as a child was a white pig named The Judge. The Judge followed Perry everywhere on the farm. Often, he would comment, “Here comes The Judge!” In later years, his dog, Barfy, was dear to his heart.
Perry was full of good humor and loved to laugh. He was pure love, kindness and a very joyful soul who knew and loved Jesus as his Savior.
Gracious thanks to all who brightened Perry’s days in any way, especially all the staff at Roosevelt Medical Center who gave him excellent care and made him feel at home over the past eight years.
Survivors include his loving mother, Lorena Hekkel; aunts, Adeline Rasmussen, Jeanie Hekkel, Christine Jensen, Ila Mae Mattingley and Mavis Schledewitz; cousins and cousins once- and twice-removed.
Perry was preceded in death by his father, Pete; his sister, Marcia; his grandparents; and many aunts and uncles.
To honor Perry’s love of children, memorials may be given to Ike’s Fishing Pond and Walking Trail.
(Paid Obituary)
