Corby Heller
June 21, 1965 ~ April 30, 2015
Corby passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at his farm near Gardner, from injuries sustained in an accident.
Corby James Heller was born on June 21, 1965 in Moorhead, MN, the son of Merlyn and Angie (Burley) Heller. He grew up on the family farm near Gardner and graduated from Cass Valley North High School in 1983. He continued his education at North Dakota State University graduating with a degree in Business Administration. During college Corby worked as a manager for Shakee’s Pizza in Fargo. Corby joined his mother preparing taxes for H&R Block in 1989. He completed his 27th tax season this year, and made many great friends through this work. Corby returned to the family farm and began his career farming with his father. He was united in marriage to Julie Westland on October 10, 1992. Samantha Genevieve, the greatest joy of Corby’s life, was born September 28, 1996. Corby spent much time either with Sami or talking about her many achievements; in particular her academic strengths. Corby and Sami could always give you up to date movie and restaurant critiques around the region. Corby was an active member of the Gardner Lion’s Club, Township Board and Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Corby closely followed the Twins and Red Hawks Baseball; attending games with family and friends. He recently took the ‘road to Frisco’ with his close friend and neighbor Bob Schmitz. Corby worked hard to remain in close contact with friends, neighbors, and family, always willing to take the time to visit and particularly over a good meal. Corby is survived by his beloved daughter, Sami – and her mother, Julie of Fargo; his parents, Merlyn and Angie Heller of Detroit Lakes, MN; his siblings - Leah (Kevin) Walters of Nevis, MN; Richard (Sandra) Heller of Mandan, ND; Rachael (Kyle) Agre of Fargo; his grandmother, Barbara Burley of Fargo; his six nieces and three nephews; several aunts and uncles; and many other very dear relatives. Corby was preceded in death by his grandparents – Ida and Henry Heller, and Gale Burley. VISITATION: 5-6:30 PM Monday, May 4, 2015 at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo – and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Tuesday PRAYER SERVICE: 6:30 PM Monday at Boulger Funeral Home FUNERAL SERVICE: 10:30 AM Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at Hope Lutheran Church – South Campus in FargoView current weather.
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Since moving to Fargo in the fall of 2009, Corby Heller has been our go to guy at the 19th Ave. H&R Block outlet. I was shocked and deeply saddened tonight to hear that he lost his life in an ATV accident near his home. I always felt a close bond with Corby even though I saw him but once a year. My wife and I had lived in rural Iowa for almost 40 years and Corby was always ready to exchange farm stories. After doing our taxes earlier this year, he got out in smart phone and showed me pictures of his two huge, track type “Red” tractors and said they were for farming nearly 3,000 acres near Gardner, ND. It pains me that life is so fickle. He always mentioned his daughter and you could see his pride in her. I offer her and the rest of Corby’s family my deepest sympathy. Had I known him better I would have considered him a dear friend.
Wish I could be there for you Julie and Sami. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Corby’s family.
So sorry for your loss! A life lost at too young of an age. God’s peace to you all.
To The Family of Corby: My heart goes out to you all…what a sad event…Corby was a very nice fellow…
been to his farm many years ago…his farm was a very big part of his life…GOD BLESS YOU ALL…
MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU…DOROTHY WESTLAND HEIDT
I am so sorry. There are no words….just (((HUG))).
Sami and Julie,
You are in our thoughts during this difficult time. We are here for you if you need anything. Don’t hesitate to ask.
Love,
Dean, Dorte & Anna
I saw the news about the ATV accident Thursday morning in my FB feed. I clicked the link and it had a picture of a farmstead. I thought to myself, “I know that place.”
But it was too out of context, with too many years between my own childhood lived on a farmstead outside of Gardner, to find it in my memory.
When I found out it was Corby in the ATV accident I was so shocked. From my faraway perch in CA, putting pieces together from Facebook, I had so many Heller memories flood over me.
Corby was always so nice to me. And I was just a kid, dazzled by his hunky, dream-boat young self. Corby’s youngest sister, Rachael was my babysitter and I totally and completely idolized her. In fact, the whole Heller family–Angie, Merlyn, Corby, Leah, Rich, and Rachael–have slivers of themselves in the foundation of my childhood memories. I haven’t seen Corby in years and years and years. But the memories I do have of him are all so GOOD. The young Corby I knew was always kind and patient.
My heart goes out to the Heller family. I am thinking of you all during this painful time. I know that doesn’t really help anyone feel better, and words from people from the past will fall totally short, but please know this startling loss–your loss–is being echoed far and wide and I am sending love and courage back.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Your family will be in our prayers
Corby will be greatly missed. He always had a smile and I enjoyed working with him at H & R Block.
Our thoughts & prayers to the Heller Family. Corby was one of the nicest men a person could meet. We just saw him last Sunday, we were planting potatoes & he came to visit, as he always did when he would see us at the farm. Corby says to us “I see you are doing the same thing I am.” Told us he planted pumpkin & corn so far. But he said he didn’t know what pumpkin looked like when it came up. I told him not to worry about it to come get me when he sees me at the farm & I will look at it & tell him. He asked me if I was planting green beans this year. Of course I told him. Good we can swap some vegetables. I will give you as much pumpkin as you want, ad long as I can get some green beans & maybe a few other veggies. Deal we told him. We will miss not seeing him when we are out tending our garden on weekends. Corby always made a point to come visit when he would see us. He loved farming & loved life. I will tend his garden if you would like me to. Soar high Corby in eternal life. God Bless the Family during this extremely difficult time.
Lolita & Rick Fischer
Fargo ND
Corby was one of my inspirations in Lions. He was president of the Argusville-Gardner-Grandin Lions Club many times. He was a devoted leader who led with service and fun. I will always remember him talking about the Lion Elves who delivered Christmas cookies. Corby was a gentleman who made a Lion District Governor feel comfortable and welcome. God bless your memory, Lion Corby.
Take care, Lion Katherine Tweed, PDGx2
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your son Angie and Merlyn. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. The Burley and Kelly families have always had a “connection” since we all grew up in the Argusville and Gardner Areas. May God be at your sides during this time and know your many friends are thinking of you.
George L. Kelly
12633 West Brandywine Drive
Sun City West AZ 85375
Corby and I became friends when his long time girlfriend, Lisa, a good friend of mine, had cancer. Corby was angry sometimes with difficult things like Lisa’s passing, and his Dad’s health.
He came to Bible Study Fellowship with me for a year. We would meet for dinner at the Shack before BSF most weeks. We discussed life, Lisa, and he would share about his daughter, his siblings, his Dad and Mom, and the Bible Study lesson material. Corby would come each week a little earlier than the week before and we would ended up meeting at 4:30pm to talk over dinner when the Bible Study wasn’t until 6:55pm. He had an interest to learn about God in the Bible and about Jesus and read over the notes and answer questions from the study right when he got home that night.
I enjoyed your sense of humor, and our honest conversations about life, the Bible, and your family. Your way of pointing out the common sense in things was appreciated. You may not have known how much you may have changed the people you were friends with. I remember seeing you help with concern an older person you knew who farmed near you, and your offering of counsel to those who might accept it.
BSF men will be praying for you and for your family Corby. I know you were looking, and I am praying for our Lord to give you His Mercy and comfort to everyone hurting from your passing. Thank you for coming to BSF and for being my friend.
Sorry to read about Corby.
Our prayer is for God’s comfort though this time.
I remember him as a little boy when we used to work on my race car
at your farm.
God bless you and Corby’s family.
Herb McLaren
Simi Valley, CA.
Sorry for your loss, thoughts and prayers for you and the family. Hugs to all Love Val
I am thinking of you all in your loss especially the Oleruds, Westricks and Burley families who shared many fun times in our young adult and college years. That is when we met and enjoyed knowing Corby. Even though years have kept us out of touch, I know your hearts are breaking Angie and Barb. I pray God will watch over you all and hold you in his loving hands. Teresa Haider
So very sorry to hear of Croby’s passing. He was a great man and will be missed by many. My condolences to the family.
I’m so sorry I won’t be able to attend the funeral. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone and Corby will be truly missed. God bless.
I only met Corby once but I feel like I know him well. My husband spent 7 years working at Corby’s farm durning the summer of his teens and early twenties. J has been telling me stories about Corby forever. I think Corby was the perfect first boss…he taught J how to work hard so he could have fun later. He was firm but quick to forgive. I never got a chance to thank Corby for teaching my husband what it means to value your job and love your life. Thank you Corby for being you!
So sorry to hear of Corby’s passing. He was such a friendly guy and always had a smile on his face. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.
Corby has been my tax preparer for many years. I will miss my yearly visits with him. He shared life experiences as we chatted and I felt his warm friendship. What a great guy! My condolences to his family. He will be missed by many. Cherish the memories.
Corby has been my tax preparer for many years. Although I don’t know his family, I do want to convey my condolences. I felt he was a friend as we shared many friendly conversations over the years. This kind, personable man will be missed by many. Cherish the precious memories.
Our deepest sympathy to the entire family. He seemed to light up a room and now will be lighting up the heavens.
Loss of words for sure. Hugs to you all. Great guy.
Prayers for the Heller Family . God Bless
Corby you will be greatly missed my wife and I always looked forward to getting our taxes done and the great talks we had. Our condolences go out to all your family. Rest in peace.
I knew Corby from doing my taxes for the last 10 years. I feel like I know his parents and daughter with the yearly conversations we had. His visit to Arizona with concern and love for his Mom and Dad was ever so apparent. His eyes really sparkled when he talked about his daughter and such pride he had in her. I will miss him but feel ever so fortunate to have known him. I think of you often.
Corby – what a great person. someone who I met through my brother – Rob Schmitz – a close friend of Corby. We were able to enjoy a great trip to Frisco in January 2015 to cheer on the Bison. It was his first trip to the championship game as was Robs. We had a great time seeing some of the local sites – Kennedy Museum and Corby was so excited to sit in the limo replica and take a group photo. Corby was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. A story told this week by Jody Schmitz, Rob’s wife, after their first winter storm living in their home, Corby met his new neighbors the Schmitz, by driving in and asking if he could clean out the driveway. Great friends ever since.
A great man who will be dearly missed by so many.
Jack Schmitz
Our deepest sympathies to Uncle Merlyn, Aunt Angie, Leah, Richard, Rachael, and all other members of the Heller family. Our thoughts and prayers also go to his Corby’s family during this time as well. It was one of the greatest pleasures in my life and to know Corby and to see him at family get togethers for the holidays when we were growing up. It was because of the bond that we shared as cousins during those years that I asked him to be a groomsmen at my wedding to my wife, Margie in December of 1983. Our thoughts and prayers are with you today and in the days ahead. We are sorry we could not be there today to be with each of you.
With prayers and sympathy, Kris and Margie Huhner
11118 Maury Lane SW
Lakewood, WA 98498-3016
Corby was a true friend and great neighbor. Bob enjoyed spending time with him, and had a great Frisco trip with Corby as well. I knew I could call Corby for help at any time.
My Thoughts & Prayers are with Corby’s Family ~ I am so very sorry for your Loss. May God at this time wrap his Loving Arms around you all to give you some comfort from the pain & sorrow you are feeling. Keeping you all in my Prayers. My Heart goes out Corby Family & Friends. Take Care & God Bless Shawn Kuehn
We are devastated by the news of your loss. Our thoughts go to the family. Corby was my neighbor when I spent a year at CVN. He was patient with my broken English and helped me pick up the right words and new customs that were so important to master in order to be comfortable in the new school. We became very good friends and I have always kept a special place in my heart for him. Rest in peace my friend. Till we meet again.
Richard & family,
Sorry for the loss of your brother.
Sympathy for the Heller family. I worked with Corby for many years at H&R Block. He was witty, smart, caring, easy to talk to, a good listener, a true farmer and good tax preparer … and a good looking guy.. He was my friend and I can’t say enough good things about him. Angie and family … my condolences. I do not have your address. Sami, you were blessed with a loving father and you brought him joy. I was unable to attend the services but my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Someone posted a video of Corby on facebook which I appreciate seeing. Keep the good memories of Corby and God bless your family.
Missing you big guy! I know you are in a better place, my heart hurts thinking about how proud you are of Sam, mom and dad, and all your farmer friends who are helping out. Claire’s birthday yesterday and I know how you loved here. She’ll growing up knowing you I promise. Send us peace please. I love you forever, you big ape.