Donald Byron Heidebrecht

Donald B. Heidebrecht, 90, died at Heritage Place in Fredericksburg, Texas, October 3, 2017, after visits from his family over the weekend. Born on a farm in Burrton, Kansas on February 11, 1927, he was the son of C. Lloyd Heidebrecht and Mildred Dole Heidebrecht. On February 12, 1950, he married Iva Fern Keesling in the Burrton United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death in 2013. He graduated from Burrton public schools and the day after graduation, was on a bus headed to be trained to serve in World War II. He was a veteran of World War II, having served with the 101st Airborne Division as a Paratrooper. Because of his service, he was able to continue his education after the war on the GI Bill, and attended Emporia State University. After college, his working life began in the telephone industry. Starting with the family business owned by his grandfather, A.Q. Heidebrecht, he began work at Consolidated Telephone Company in Central Kansas, retiring with 40 years of service from United Telephone System (now Sprint), which acquired the family business in the late 1960s. His career took he and his family to six states: Kansas, Washington, Oregon, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas. He retired as Director of Government Affairs for United Telephone, serving as a lobbyist at the state and federal level. He was a life-long Methodist and was currently a member of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. Throughout his life he served in many positions in his church, on various boards and committees and as Sunday School superintendent. He served on the Burrton School Board for many years and was also President of the Board. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially his place on Beaver Lake in Arkansas. Most of his time during retirement was spent playing golf, fishing, gardening, working in the yard and in his woodworking shop. He also enjoyed helping his friends and children with various household projects. Don was a Mason for over 64 years. He received his 60 year pin at the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg in 2013. His Masonic involvement included one year as District Deputy Grand Master in 1962. He was a member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masonry in Wichita, Kansas. He was a member of the Za-Ga-Zig Shriners International. He also was a member of the American Legion for over 60 years. He served as President of the Kansas Telephone Association and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, a sister, Luella (Tookie) Unruh, and in 1979 his only son William Donald Heidebrecht. He is survived by three daughters, Peggy Heidebrecht Hannon (Joe) of Fredericksburg, Texas and boys Joey, Dan and Pat; L. Maria Heidebrecht Sovich (Charlie) Des Moines, Iowa; and Susan Heidebrecht Ambroson (Terry) Urbandale, Iowa and children Rebecca, Emily, Nick, and Cecily; daughter-in-law, Jan Heidebrecht Cadenhead (Ed) of Seminole, Okla., and children, Jill, Jack and Scott; 15 great-grandchildren also survive. Services will be held at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21st, 2017. A graveside service and interment of ashes, next to his wife of 63 years and his son, Bill, will take place in Burrton, Kansas over Memorial Weekend in May of 2018. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burrton United Methodist Church, Burrton, Kan., Choose Life Class of Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, or your charity of choice.