Frank Joseph Hejna

VENTURA - Frank J. Hejna, Jr., 76, of Barnett, MO, living with his daughter in Hickman, NE, formerly of Ventura, peacefully joined our Heavenly Father Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at Homestead Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Funeral services will be held 11 A.M., Saturday, January 18th at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan with Fr. Dennis Miller officiating. Burial will be at St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Duncan with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 P.M., Friday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel, 160 E. 4th St., in Garner with a Rosary at 7 P.M. followed by a Scriptural wake service. Visitation will continue one hour prior to services at the church. Born in Mason City, IA to Frank and Agnes (Korn) Hejna on June 6, 1937. He was baptized on June 20, 1937 and confirmed in 1948 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church at Duncan. He graduated from Ventura High School in 1955. After high school, Frank served in the United States Marine Corps from 1955-1961. While living in Leigh, NE he owned Frank's Auto and was an active member of the community, including serving on the Leigh Fire and Rescue squad. After...[more]

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back injury left him unable to work on vehicles he attended college in Curtis, NE earning a degree in 1979 in Natural Resources and Conservation. This gave him the opportunity to combine his love of the outdoors and a long career of surveying and conservation. He worked for the NRD of York, NE from 1979-1987 and was a volunteer fire fighter. From there he worked as a Contract Supervisor for the Missouri Conservation Department until retirement in 2010. Frank was a member of the Knights of Columbus at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eldon, MO. He enjoyed polka music, fishing, working on tractors, restoring classic automobiles, and socializing. Frank is survived by his wife, Jean of Lincoln, NE; children Frank III of Hump Tulips, WA, Preston, of Hoquiam, WA, Shelli Ziemke and husband, Mike of Hickman, NE, Sherri Leyva and husband Gilbert of Las Vegas, NV, and Sunni Harper and husband Colby of Hickman, NE. Grandchildren Tori and Sydni Ziemke, Evan, Emma, Sammy, and Charley Leyva, Delaini and Presli Harper. As well as, three adored brothers, Jerry (JoAnn) Hejna of Ventura, IA, Ron (Rose) Hejna of Garner, IA, and Ed (Connie) Hejna of Floyd, IA; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, Joseph; and sons, Vincent and Shawn Hejna.