Dorothy Heller

Dorothy May Heller, 92, passed away on March 30, 2013 at Life Care Center of Jacksonville, Florida. Dorothy was born September 19, 1920 in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin to Venice and Bernard Applebeck. After graduating from Merrill High School in 1938, Dorothy attended Lincoln County Normal School and graduated with a degree in elementary education. On November 1, 1941 she was united in marriage to Norman W. Heller in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Dorothy taught in Oneida County and Lincoln County rural elementary schools and also taught third grade at Whittier Elementary for six years. Dorothy and Norman had one son, Rodney, and in 1958 they moved to Jacksonville, Florida. Dorothy continued her education by taking summer courses in Wisconsin and received her Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1960. She taught elementary school at Windy Hill Elementary in Jacksonville from 1967 until her retirement in 1979. Dorothy was a very accomplished seamstress, a wonderful cook, and a generous and caring friend. However, her real passion and source of great pride was taking care of her beautiful camillias and azaleas that adorned her yard. Dorothy was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Jacksonville for fifty four years. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Norman; her second husband, Nick Segas; and longtime special friend, Hardin (Ted) Goff; two half brothers, Karl D. Applebeck and Roger L. Applebeck, sister in law, Annabelle Ecklund, brothers in law, Ed Ecklund and Herb Conant, and a nephew, Gary Ecklund. She is survived by her son, Rodney (Sheila), four grandchildren, Mary Heller, Duane Heller, Steven (Susan) Larson, and Amy Larson; six great grand children, Lea Elizabeth Dimatteo, Kiefer Heller, Avriana Heller, Benjamin and Samuel Larson, and Jasper Leach; sister in law, Almira Conant, nieces, Sandra Johnson (Gordy) and Coral Mae Klein, and nephews, Brian Conant and Ben Applebeck and a host of close caring neighbors. A private graveside service will be held this summer in Wisconsin. Memorials are preferred to Community Hospice of Jacksonville, Florida or Lutheran Hour Ministries.