Thinking about Heidi brings back wonderful memories of a bright, responsible, effervescent young lady with an ever present, energetic, soft smile and an infectious laugh. 

My first contact with Heidi was about 10 years ago when she joined the 4-H Club that my wife Nancy and I, and our two children were involved in. She entered with a soft self-assured attitude, and immediately assumed a leadership role. She became the example and model that, as a parent, we hope our children will find among their peers. She invested her talents and skills, as a mentor, to the younger members of the club and thrilled in their development, enhancing her own development. 

I remember watching her come to meetings in her high school letter jacket so weighted down with medals that it likely doubled her weight. 

I remember watching her preside over club meetings and responding to the younger members with a gentle kindness and interest. 

I remember the energy and enthusiasm she exhibited in whatever she did. 

I remember a project talk she gave in which she described how she had redecorated her room at home. 

I remember her talking about her experiences with Labo, a Japanese exchange program. Her experiences not only effected her life, but also caused our family to accept a young man into our home through the program. 

I remember a club tour that ended with a pool party at the Page Patch and her willingness, with the support of her parents, to share her home with the other members of the club. 

Finally, I remember her on stage, competing in a Fashion Review in a striking dress, red as I remember, confident, with a twinkle in her eye and that always present soft smile on her face. 

The four H's in 4-H stand for head, heart, hands & health. A 4-H'er pledges clearer thinking, greater loyalty, larger service, and better living for their club, their community, their country, and their world. Heidi's life demonstrated that pledge perhaps better than any I know.. She invested a part of herself in everyone she knew. That part of her will continue in each of us. 

My prayer today, is that God will continue to bless each one of us in her memory as He has with her presence. 

I trust that He will do exactly that. 

Joe Wood 
December 4, 1997