Allan Hedberg

Allan Wesley Hedberg passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 at his home in Arvada, CO from natural causes with his daughter Julie by his side, while hymns of the Christian faith played at his bedside.

Al was the second of three children born to the late Reubin and Esther Hedberg in Ashtabula, OH on October 6th, 1934. He is survived by his brother Doug. Preceding him in death are his wife of 61 years Nancy and his brother Widing. Al graduated from Edgewood High School in 1952. He enlisted in the United States Army in November 1954 during the Korean Conflict joining the 6th Armored Calvary Regiment stationed in Regensburg, Germany.

Al was very proud of his military service and enjoyed his time there where he made lifelong friends. He was a member of the American Legion Post 119 of Estes Park, CO. Al met his wife Nancy of nearly 61 years first in 1953. They started writing while Al was stationed in Germany. Two years after his honorable discharge from the Army, Al and Nancy were married on April 12, 1958 at Bethany Covenant Church in Lyndhurst, OH. Afterwards they lived in the city of Ashtabula, in Plymouth Township, and in the Village of Jefferson in Ashtabula County, OH where they raised their three children Jill, Julie, and Jim. During their time in Ohio, Al worked in advertising as printing press operator, a laborer for a lumber yard, and finally as the foreman of the Maintenance and Street Department for the Village of Jefferson, meeting with the village administration in addition to his normal operations duties. Additionally, Al was a member of the Plymouth Township OH and Village of Jefferson OH Volunteer Fire Department. During their years raising the family, Al and Nancy enjoyed farming together in Plymouth Township, camping, and road trips throughout the United States. One summer Al and Nancy led the family on a 10,000 mile, 6-week road trip to the Oregon Coast, down to Tijuana, Mexico, and back through the Grand Canyon, Colorado, and the Great Plains, visiting the sites and friends along the way. Al loved the outdoors and spent time hunting, fishing, and hiking with his family and friends. He was very proud of his children traveling around the country to support them in their interests through coaching, accepting leadership roles in his children’s organizations, and just being there for them.

After their children were raised Al and Nancy moved to Colorado in 1995 where they lived at Covenant Heights Church Camp near Estes Park, CO to allow Nancy to take a full-time position as Camp Administrative Assistant. As a country boy at heart, Al loved living next to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), along with the adventure of living in a one-bedroom log cabin in full view of Longs Peak, a 14,255’ peak located in the park, and living at an altitude of 9,200 feet above sea level. After a brief two year move down to the city of Westminster, CO where Al and Nancy were active in the Arvada Covenant Church, they built their dream home in Estes Park, CO in full view of the north side of Longs Peak where they lived for nearly 10 years. There, they enjoyed entertaining family and friends from all over the world, giving them an opportunity to share in God’s grandeur that Al so enjoyed. They showed their visitors the wonderful sights and activities the park and the area had to offer. Their doors were always open to guests. Some of Al’s fondest memories were of special family Colorado Christmases where Swedish Christmas Eve Dinners took the forefront of the celebration. Friends from out of town were often welcomed in as family during the festivities.

Al grew up with loving Christian parents. He attended church all of his life and accepted God’s gift of salvation on July 23, 1948 at Camp Mission Meadows in Chautauqua, New York. Al was an avid studier of God’s word in the Holy Bible having read completely through from beginning to end 19 times and was on track for a 20th as he began this year. He read the Bible through once per year from 2005 through 2020 … 16 years in a row! He faithfully attended church and shared the gospel whenever the opportunity arose.

Al was very proud of and fond of spending time with his children, seven grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren attending musicals, baseball games, dance competitions and having the grandkids spend the night. In addition, he was an avid baseball and football fan, enjoying games in person and on TV.

When Al wasn’t at church or one of the family’s events, you might find him tinkering in his garage with his cars. He loved going to auto shows or “window-shopping” at the car lots and was a part of a Cars and Coffee group of church men who got together to just talk about cars. He could fix anything you brought to him. He was a wonderful neighbor, always willing to pitch in a hand to help out a person in need.

Al is survived by his children Jill Pelton (her husband Dan; and children Jenifer Schultz and her children Hannah and Tyler; Brian Pelton and his wife Kathryn and their children Shawn and Drew; and Laura Moore and her husband Bryon and their children Austin, Wesley, and Hayley); Julie Shaffer (her husband Clayton); and Jim Hedberg (his wife Nancy and their children Kyle and his wife Katie and their son Easton; Amy Brown and her husband Tim and their son Lewis; Audra Stubits and her husband Connor Stubits; and Abby Hedberg, living with Jim and Nancy); his brother Doug Hedberg (and wife Barb).

The Hedberg family would like to thank Al’s neighbors and friends Dan, Debbie, and Danny Bergman, Mark Walters, Nancy McConnell, Ron and Pauleta Oehlerking, Steve Rawlings, and Paula Redig for their love, caring, and watchful eye over Al.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Anchor Point Ministries, in care of Pastor Lou and Patti Damiani, 1079 Jay Rodgers Court, Traverse City, MI 49696 or online at Anchorpointministry.org/donate. Anchor Point Ministry held a very special place in Al’s heart. Al cherished his friendship with Pastor Lou and Patti and he enjoyed their frequent conversations because of the strong bond of Christian love between Al, his late wife Nancy, Pastor Lou, and Patti.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held on February 1, 2021 at Arvada Covenant Church, 5555 Ward Road, Arvada, CO 80004 beginning at 3:00 PM Mountain Standard Time. Viewing and visitation will be available prior to the service from 2:00-2:45 PM MST. The service will be live-streamed beginning at 2:45 PM MST and available at the following link (no registration required) https://vimeo.com/504954502.

Al will be interred with military honors on February 2, 2021 and with his late wife Nancy at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO.