Donald Wayne Heikes

Donald Wayne Heikes, 86, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Oct. 21, 2013, in Wasilla.

A funeral service in memory of Donald is at 12:30 p.m., Oct. 30 at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave., Wasilla. A public viewing is at noon prior to the service. Donald will be buried at Fort Richardson National Cemetery with full Military Honors at 2:30 p.m. (Must be at Arctic Valley Gate by 2:15 p.m.)

Donald was born Aug. 31, 1927, in Kanaranzi, Minn., to Lee and Trina Heikes.

Don came to Alaska in 1947 with the U.S. Army, where he worked as a fire chief at Fort Richardson. Upon his discharge, he made many trips from Minnesota to Alaska ,and in 1951 he stopped in Edmonton, Alberta, where he met his future wife, Angela, at a dance. They were married 10 days later. Donald and Angela celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary this past July.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Don put together a family band with his children and wife called “The Heikes Family” and played throughout Alaska, specializing in country and western music. Upon his retirement, he loved to donate his time and musical talent at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer, where he entertained the residents on a weekly basis for the last 13 years.

Don was a homebuilder and during his career constructed more than 200 homes and townhouses in both Alaska and Minnesota with the help of his sons and wife. He built his last home in 1999 in Wasilla. He is remembered as having been an excellent builder of quality homes.

Don leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Angela Heikes; four children, Roger, Jerry, Sandy and Jo Anne; along with 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Arrangements cared for by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.