Ellen Marie Heck

Ellen Heck, 57, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after a courageous four year battle with cancer.

Ellen was born December 5, 1964, to William Heck and Mary (Wiltse) Heck in Bowling Green, Ohio. She grew up in Plymouth, Minnesota where she excelled in sports including track and soccer. While a senior at Armstrong Senior High School she qualified for Nationals in the hurdles and traveled to Nebraska to compete. She also received the Athena award which is given annually to one senior female athlete who has distinguished herself in athletics and academics.

She attended Minnesota State University Moorhead and after graduation worked as a control systems engineer at Control Assemblies Company, and then at Air Liquide.

Ellen loved all animals and volunteered actively with the Minnesota Herpetological Society for many years. She liked sharing her knowledge of reptiles each fall with visitors at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival’s Como cottage. Cooking was another passion of hers, and she frequently brought yummy homemade treats to gatherings. She also enjoyed travel and in recent years experienced Scotland, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands, among other wonderful places.

She is preceded in death by Grandparents Reine and Lydia Heck, and Ivan and Ella Wiltse.

She is survived by parents William and Mary Heck, sister Wendy Heck (Alan Downie), brothers Brian Heck (Erin Barry), Tim Heck (Marni), Kevin Heck (Donna), nieces Elaine Downie (Maximilian von Hohenberg), Lisa Downie, Zoe Bakken-Heck, and nephews Peter Downie (Lindsey Main), Soren Bakken-Heck (Alyssa), Lucas Bakken-Heck (Hana DeMartelaere), Zachary Holmson (Brianna), Alexander Peterson (Samantha), Skylar Peterson, Hunter Heck, and grandnieces Lydia von Hohenberg and Scarlett Holmson .

memorial service

Memorial Service

In accordance with Ellen's wishes there will not be a formal memorial service

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services