Carolyn Lee Heitzman

Carolyn Lee (Bogan) Heitzman, age 78, of White Bear Lake, MN was called Home to be with the Lord on October 24, 2024. After a nineteen-year battle with both thyroid and ovarian cancers, she died unexpectedly after a brief and sudden illness. A beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend, Carolyn was born on Mother’s Day, May 12, 1946 in Staunton, VA, the cherished daughter of the late Merle Warwick Bogan and the late Lillian Irene Lightner Bogan.

Carolyn graduated valedictorian from Robert E. Lee High School in Staunton, VA in 1964 and continued her studies at Mary Washington College. After earning baccalaureate degrees in both French and German with honors, she was joined in marriage to Gordon Heitzman on December 24, 1968. Following Naval service in 1973, the couple returned to Gordon’s home state of MN. In 1979, they moved to the Heitzman family “homestead” in White Bear Lake, MN where they raised their six children.

She enjoyed cultivating both flower and vegetable gardens, building lasting relationships with neighbors, and attending to their church community. She was known for her southern accent, strawberry blonde hair, and easy smile. Led by her unwavering faith and love of God, Carolyn was gracious and graceful, humble, kind, loving, and strong. She possessed unwavering integrity. Traditional in many areas of her life, she was an innovator in the kitchen and delighted in creating memorable dishes, crafting cards, and could be found often knitting, crocheting, or sewing. But most of all she cherished her time in prayer, devotions, and in the company of the many bible studies she was faithful in attending.

Carolyn also led a rich professional life, the majority of which was spent at Smarte Carte where she worked for many years. She was sought after for her attention to detail and sharp mind but more for her kindness. Her real work though was her enduring desire to carry the message of Jesus Christ, which she saw as her primary purpose.

She is survived by her loving husband, Gordon, with whom she shared almost 56 devoted years of marriage, her six children and eleven grandchildren: Shirley Heitzman, Paula (Moussa) Camara, David Heitzman, Emily (Anthony) Oberlander, William (Anna) Heitzman, and Stephen (Jeannie) Heitzman. She delighted in loving and nurturing her many grandchildren, including Mohamed, Monalyn, and Gabriel Camara; Max, Noah, and Isaac Oberlander; Elinor, Theodore, Joy, and Mira Lee Heitzman, and Lewis Heitzman. She is also survived by her two sisters, Ellen (Larry) Woosley (Waynesboro, VA) and Brenda (Sam) Painter (Blythewood, SC), and many adoring nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Lake, MN 55127. An evening visitation service will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, November 1st, 2024 (Sharing of Remembrances, 6 p.m.). Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Friends and family are invited to join us in honoring her memory. Burial services will be at Fort Snelling at a later date.

Her family finds peace knowing she is at rest in the arms of her Savior, and her legacy of faith and love will continue to inspire all who knew her.

Carolyn Heitzman Service Livestream