Heidi Stetler

GRAVESIDE SERVICE
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
1:00 PM
Pleasant View Cemetery 
Hartley, Iowa

INTERMENT
Pleasant View Cemetery
Hartley, Iowa

On January 3, 2026, Heidi Lynn Stetler was taken home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Heidi was born on March 18, 1959 in Culver City, CA, to Eugene Wendall McDonald and Marilyn May McDonald. Heidi spent much of her growing-up years living on her parent’s farm and cherry tree ranch in Southern California. She graduated from high school in 1977. She spent a couple of years in Washington State with her aunt and uncle doing different jobs. She eventually moved back with her parents in 1982 where she stayed until her married the love of her life, Richard Stetler. They were married January 26, 1985. They raised three girls together, Erin, Marilyn and Ana Laurie. Heidi became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1998 and became a wonderful, godly help to those who in their most desperate times of trouble. After 17 years of faithfully caring for others exercising her spiritual gift of mercy, she, unfortunately, had to retire as nurse due to illnesses that prevented her from continuing her calling. She spent the rest of her years continuing to love and support her husband and three children and eventually seven grandchildren.

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27 KJV). Heidi loved this passage from God’s Word and turned to it the most. It is a passage that gave her so much hope and strength even unto her last breath. Even Job, who lived before the Abrahamic covenant and before there was a glimpse of what the coming Messiah would be like and before Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, was born, understood and believed that not only was there a Redeemer but that our Redeemer indeed lived. We now live in the time where we understand the Abrahamic Covenant, we know who is our Redeemer by name. We know He was sent by His/our Heavenly Father to be born of the virgin Mary, grow up to bring the lost to Himself and to His Father by shedding His precious blood and dying on the cross to pay the penalty for OUR sins so that we no longer are condemned to Hell for eternity but have eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ and our Father, who then after three days in the grave rose again with a glorified body showing himself to over 500 eyewitnesses; then bodily ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father; and with all authority in heaven and on earth given to Him, He reigns over all things even to this day through the Holy Spirit working mightily bringing sinners into the kingdom of God by the preaching of this Gospel. Jesus Christ is our one and only Savior, the Incarnate Yahweh Elohim and Lord of Glory, the Word come in the flesh, who created all that exists by power of His word. He is our only hope, our living hope. Heidi not only knew this but believed in this our Living Hope. Her life was a testimony of God’s grace and faithfulness to a sinner whom He redeemed by His precious blood shed on the cross once and for all time, obtaining for her and all those chosen by God the forgiveness of sins, righteousness, salvation and everlasting life. Though we mourn the loss of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister in Christ, we rejoice in knowing that she is with her Redeemer.

Heidi Lynn Stetler was proceeded in death by her parents, Eugene and Marilyn McDonald. She was survived by her beloved husband, Richard Stetler; her daughters Erin Eggebeen (husband Joseph); Marilyn Smith (husband Chad); Ana Laurie DeBoer (husband Matthew); her sister Cyndi McMullen (husband James); Heather McDonald; her grandchilden Deirdre, Zoey, Richard and Victoria Eggebeen (parents Erin and Joseph); Autumn and Leah Smith (parents Marilyn and Chad); and Scotlynn DeBoer (parents Ana Laurie and Matthew).

Richard’s Little Lamb

"Richard had a little lamb. Her fleece was white as snow; made white by the blood of Jesus Christ, which He shed on the cross for the forgiveness of her sins; He then clothed my little lamb in his robe of righteousness.

Richard’s little lamb was given to him; a gift and blessing from her Great Shepherd, her’s and his, Jesus Christ. He gave Richard’s little lamb a love for him to care for him, to pray for him – to be his loving help meet. The Great Shepherd gave Richard his little lamb because He knew he needed her – and Richard loved her deeply and for a season he was her shepherd to care for her, provide for and to protect her.

Now, the Great Shepherd has called her back to Himself; so now Richard’s little lamb, though no longer with Richard in this life, she is in the presence of our Great Shepherd with her fleece as white as snow to live in His presence, resting in His loving arms with no more pain, no more sorrow, no more grief, no more sin and death, waiting to be reunite with her body at the Second Coming of our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

Richard’s little lamb is resting peaceably with her Great Shepherd. She will be missed greatly and Richard’s sorrow in his heart is deep; yet, with great hope to be with her in the presence of our Great Shepherd, praising and glorifying our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, forever, together with all the redeemed sheep of our Great Shepherd.

Richard’s sorrow is great, missing his little lamb, but his hope even greater because we belong to our Great Shepherd, who has loved us with an everlasting love.

Richard had a little lamb, her fleece was white as snow precious Richard; precious to our Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ."

Arrangements by Geelan Funeral Home