July 23, 1933 — June 28, 2018
Anna Heppler, 84, passed away June 28, 2018, surrounded by her loving family in St. George, Utah. She was born July 23, 1933 in Cedar City, Utah, to John Henry and Vera Harris Nelson.
She was the eighth child of nine and was a blessing to her sister, Elaine, who was living in a house full of brothers: Clyde, McKay, Don and Dean (twins), Harris, Leon and Elroy.
She married Gaylen Corry Heppler, Dec. 20, 1950, in Cedar City, and they were later sealed in the Logan Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with their four children April 11, 1963.
Anna was raised in Cedar City and attended Cedar City High School. There she met a charming college basketball player who stole her heart at the tender age of 17 and has held it for the past 67 years. They lived in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City and Roy, before moving to St. George in 1964.
She was a loving mother and an amazing “Grams” to six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In her day, she was an avid golfer, a wonderful cook, and loved serving in the community in the St. George Lady Lions and Dixie Colonials Club.
She enjoyed entertaining and traveling. They were able to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on an Alaskan Cruise back in 2000.
Anna is survived by her husband of 67 years; her children: Kim of Salt Lake City, Mark (Leslie) of St. George, Bruce (Traci) Heppler of Atlanta, Georgia, and Tracy (Dean) Winningham of St. George; grandchildren: Chasi Winningham, Austin (Kaitlyn) Winningham, Macrae (Chantelle) Heppler, Haidan Heppler, Zak Heppler and Moriah Heppler; great-grandchildren: Nixon, Arrow and Hatch Winningham; and brother, Elroy “Butch” Nelson.
She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings and her granddaughter, Chersti Anna Heppler.
The family wishes to extend their thanks to the staff at Canyon Home Care and Hospice for the thoughtful care of their mother for the past eight months and to her personal 24-hour caregivers, her granddaughter Chasi, and Amelia Guerrero.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 3, at 11 a.m. at the St. George 17th Ward Chapel, 200 West 500 North, St. George, Utah.
- A visitation will be held Tuesday, prior to services, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church.
- Interment will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221. For condolences, full obituary and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.