Heidner Celebrates Birthday

Pastor Arch and Sandy Woodstock and Les and Helen Toews of the Community Bible Church hosted a birthday party for Thomas Heidner on his 96th birthday Sunday, March 20, after the morning service. During the service, Les Toews gave a tribute to his former Sunday school teacher. He pointed out that Heidner had been a founding charter member of Community Bible Church and his wisdom was still appreciated. He had been awarded the Anna Regeir Award by the FEBC as the 2011 Christian Educator Worker of the Year. The congregation sang and presented him with a gift. The pastor used I John 5:13ff and chose songs known to be his favorites. The party was attended by 56 people including students who rode his bus, parents of students, church family, friends and relatives and those from the church who have been transplanted to serve in other community churches. Family able to attend were his brother, Ken (Jane) Heidner; daughters, Susan (Bob) Schlack of Helena and Vivian (Dwaine) Wall of Lustre; son, Leslie Heidner, and nieces, Marilyn Anderson and Maxine Strader (Glenn); and daughter, Helen Welte; Mary Nelson of Vida; and nephew, Martin Toavs. He has 36 grandchildren (including step) when including the spouses; 41 great-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren with one more on the way.