John Hegna

John David ('Dave") Hegna, 88, passed away peacefully on January 13th, 2019 at the Ashby Living Center with his loving wife of 60 years and family by his side.

Dave was born on March 29, 1930, in Granite Falls, Minnesota the son of Thorvald and Mary (Peterson) Hegna.  He graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1948 where he was the first recorded basketball player in Minnesota to score 1000 points. Dave graduated from Hamline University in St. Paul in 1952 with a Degree in Education.  At Hamline he played basketball, with the team winning three National Championships, and Dave was later inducted into the Hamline Hall of Fame.

Dave and Frances Oslund were married on June 14, 1958, in Cambridge, Minnesota.  He taught and coached in Belle Plaine, Staples, and Robbinsdale.  He went on to teach in the Glenwood School District for twenty-six years, retiring in 1986.  After retirement they moved to Elbow Lake and later Fergus Falls, wintering many years at their home in Chandler, Arizona.  For the past 4 years, Dave appreciated the loving care they both received at the Ashby Living Center. Throughout his life he enjoyed golf, tennis, cross country skiing, ice fishing and watching sporting events on television, with the highlight being the Minnesota State High School Basketball Tournaments. His favorite pastime of all was playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dave is survived by his wife, Frances; three children, Tom (Laurie) Hegna of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary (Gary) Johnson of Dalton and Becky (Steve) Kollman of Becker; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Ryan (Christina) Hegna, Declan and Kylie,  Sean (Haley Patterson) Hegna, JJ Hegna, Sami Hegna, Seth (Samantha) Johnson and Charlie, Max (Danae) Johnson, Josh (Maddy Hershner) Johnson, Jonah Kollman and Kylie (Kale Fritz) Kollman; and by numerous relatives and friends.  Dave was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim Hegna; twin sister Dorothy Green and sister Lois Flammang.

Memorials are preferred to Haiti Eye Mission, and the Ashby Living Center.

Funeral Service: Grace Evangelical Free Church in Elbow Lake 11:00 Friday January 18, 2019.

Visitation: Friday, 9:30 – 11:00 AM

Clergy: Rev. Don Trulson

Interment: Pelican Lake Cemetery in Ashby.

Funeral Home: Erickson-Smith of Elbow Lake.

Condolences: EricksonSmithFH.Com