Mary Edna (Clark) Hefley

Mary Edna Clark Hefley, 94, of Grand Junction, Colorado, left this earth to join her Heavenly Father, of February 21, 2023. She was ready to go "home" and knew what the destination was. 
She was born to Mossman and Juanita Clark on April 24, 1928, after the family of five had recently built their homestead on Soldier Creek up East Douglas Creek. what is now the Bob Car Ranch near Rangely, Colorado.
At two months old, Mossman was tragically killed, necessitating Juanita to move with her two sons and daughter to Farmington, New Mexico to live with Mossman's parents.
Mary Edna attended school in Farmington until 1939, when Juanita was remarried to Louis Goeder, on December 9, 1939, from Rangely, Colorado, where Louis had a cattle ranching business. Mary Edna's brothers, Frank (18) and Embert (16) were close to being our of school that they stayed behind. Louis moved his new family to the Goeder, homestead on the White River, which is now underwater, at the Kenny Reservoir. Louis was a good dad to her, and she learned the ranching life enthusiastically from him, gathering cattle on horseback, driving the tractor, and learned to drive on a double-shift 1949 Ford pickup truck, that remains in the family.
Mary Edna continued grade school in Rangely at 12, then needed to go to Winnemucca, Nevada to begin high school, as Rangely didn't have one yet. Her senior year was spent with family in Golden, Colorado graduating from Golden High School. She then immediately started nurses training at The Childrens Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Upon her graduation in 1950, as a registered nurse, she returned to Rangely to begin her career at the 9 bed hospital. During a newspaper interview for being chosen as Nurse of the Year by the Colorado Nurses Association, she was quoted saying, "while working the small Rangely hospital, she can remember having to sleep there due to staff shortages, crawling around under her hospital bed in red flannel pajamas looking for a cricket!"
The same year she married her "handsome cowboy" Chrles Hefley, adding to the Hefley Clan that helped establish the cattle industry in Rangely back in the 1880's. they started their family with Mose in 1951 (Mossman Harvey), Dwayne in 1953, and Charlayne in 1955. In 1959, the family moved to Lake View (Cortez) on a little ranch next to Tommy and Janice Hager, whom they remained best friends. Through the years, the family moved numerous times, settling in Palisade, Colorado in 1969, joining their forever church family at the Palisade First Baptist church.
Mary Eda continued her working career at Mesa Memorial. Community and St. Mary's Hospitals, retiring after 45 plus years. She always claimed that "once a nurse always a nurse". Mary Edna also spent 13 summers as a Camp Nurse for the Grand Mesa Baptist Assembly church camp, creating many lasting memories combining faith and career.
Her faith in our Lord Jesus Christ carried her through many difficult times in her life. Never complaining, accepting whatever was placed in front of her, giving her best in everything she was faced, with grace and beauty. She was a faithful Prayer Warrior always. She was kind, loving, caring, funny, encouraging, sweet, cheerful, always smiling, pioneer strong, devoted, nurturing, gentle and a smidge ornery. 
She loved to sing in church choirs, travel, garden, made fabulous "closet" wine, and reading her Bible. Family gatherings and reunions were of special importance to her.
Preceding her in death are her father, Mossman, mother, Juanita, stepfather, Louis, two brothers, Frank and Embery: husband Charles, two sons, Mose and Dwayne. Surviving are her daughter, Charlayne Hefley Higginson (Randy); grandchildren Amy Higginson Carruth (Wayne) of Fruita, CO; Ryan Higginson (Natalie) of Seattle, WA; Heather Hefley Schanhols of Gering, NE; C.J. Hefley of Gering, NE; Morgan Hefley of Omaha, NE and Matthew Hefley of Omaha, NE; seven great grandchildren; KyLeigh, Landynn, Britany, Ethan, Keaira, Kazlyn, Elliot; and four great-great-grandchildren; Marleigh, Kaidence, Kolby and River.
Special thanks to the staff at The Residence of Grand Mesa for their love and care for Mom. Also, to the team at Hope West Hospice Care for keeping her comfortable during her last days.
Memorial Services will be held at the Palisade First Baptist Church at 103 W Fifth St, Palisade, CO, on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 2pm, with birthday cake and ice cream to follow. Donations can be made to Grand Mesa Baptist Camp by going to www.grandmesabaptistcamp.org to download their donations form and mailing to Carlyle Currier at PO Box 40, Molina, CO 81646.
 

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