With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Delores “Miss Dee” Fern Heller Schoenrock, age 95, of Fayetteville, TN.
Delores (“Miss Dee”) Fern Heller Schoenrock, passed away on March 1, 2025. She was born on April 11, 1929, in Stanton County, Nebraska. Delores was the daughter of Ernest and Matilda (Maas) Heller. She attended a one-room school for eight years and graduated from Pilger High School in 1946 where she played saxophone in the marching band and played volleyball.
After graduation, she was employed with Mutual of Omaha, Blue Star Foods, and Greyhound Bus Lines in Omaha, Nebraska. She met Don Schoenrock, a WWII veteran with the Merchant Marines, and after his discharge, they were married on June 11, 1950, in St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Pilger, Nebraska. In 1951, Don was drafted during the Korean War and joined the U S Navy. Don and Delores lived in San Diego, California, and in Honolulu, Hawaii, where their daughter, Debra, was born. After being discharged from the Navy, they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Don attended and graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering. In 1957, they moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Don was employed with Amana Refrigeration. Their two sons, Doug and Daron, were born in Cedar Rapids.
In 1968, the Schoenrock family moved to Fayetteville, Tennessee, where Don was on the staff of the new Amana plant. Delores enjoyed her career as a pre-school teacher in Fayetteville. She retired in 2005 after 35 years of teaching at three schools: Kiddyland Day Care, St Mary Magdalene Pre-school and First Presbyterian Church Child Care Center. The family enjoyed annual summer vacations camping in many states and national parks. Don and
Delores especially enjoyed attending many US Navy reunions. During their travels, they were fortunate to visit 47 states in the USA and 9 European countries.
Delores enjoyed genealogy; researching and assembling the Heller family history; and staying in touch with her 25 cousins, 6 siblings, and 7 aunts and uncles. She enjoyed ballroom and square dancing; listening to big bands, polka and Christian music; attending Carriage House players and Fabulous Fifties productions; and watching her sons and grandchildren play baseball, football and soccer. She also enjoyed attending many piano recitals, dance recitals, and cheerleading events in which her granddaughters participated. Her favorite college football teams were Tennessee and Nebraska.
A member of First Presbyterian Church, she sang in the choir and was active in Presbyterian Women. She was a member of the Highland Rim Civitan Club for 25 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don, of 65 years; her brothers Alvin (Ethel) Heller, Orville (Alvina) Heller, Duane Heller, and Don (Joyce) Heller; her sisters Helen (David) Carroll and Joan (Dick) Holmes; and her son-in-law Wayne Barnes. Delores is survived by her daughter, Debra of Tullahoma, TN; son Douglas (Linda) of Saugatuck, MI; son Daron (Carol) of Oakland, TN; grandchildren Emily Barnes, Sarah (Nathan) Mock, Lauren (Erick) Navarette, Eve Schoenrock, Erik Schoenrock, and Bret Schoenrock; a sister-in-law Joyce Heller; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville, TN on Thursday, March 6 from 10:00-11:30 AM. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 12:00 PM in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church. A luncheon will immediately follow the service at 1:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church Family Center gymnasium. A private interment for the family will be held at Cedar Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church, PO Box 472, Fayetteville, TN or Junior’s House, 704 W. Maple Street, Fayetteville, TN.
Higgins Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Delores “Miss Dee” Fern Heller Schoenrock.
“Miss” Dee taught my children, but she also taught me. Dee, Erma, and Jo were wonderful mentors when I joined the staff at First Presbyterian Church Child Care. They showed me that if a child felt loved and safe, learning came naturally. We were a true work family and I was so blessed by Dee’s love, friendship, and guidance.
Doug, Linda, Debbie, and Daron,
As you mourn the passing of your very special mother, may you find solace in knowing your sadness is felt by thousands of the children see touched over multiple decades of service.
The memory of “Miss Dee” will never fade away. She will live in our hearts forever.
You all were incredibly blessed to have had her in your lives for so long.
She’s probably already running the infant angel preschool and introducing Fox News to them.
Love you all
Scott and Gwen
Thoughts and prayers are with you, Debbie and all your family. Your mom and dad were special people.
Debra, I am so very sorry to hear that your dear mother has passed. I know you and your family will miss her tremendously. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and may your sweet mother rest peacefully in the arms of Jesus Christ. Ruth Wells
A very gracious lady she will be missed by me and many others
Doug
Mark and I are saddened to hear of your mother’s passing. She was a wonderful woman. You were blessed to have her with you for so long. Our thoughts and condolences for your family
Debbie and family, I so very sorry to hear of your precious Mother’s passing. I am praying for you and will remember you in prayer in the coming weeks and months.
MISS DEE WAS SUCH A JOY AT FPC CHILDCARE. MY DAUGHTER, LIZ, ATTENDED THERE AS A LITTLE ONE. SHE WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER AND LOVED BY ALL THE CHILDREN WHOM SHE TAUGHT. MISS DEE DEFINITELY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF MANY CHILDREN. MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS TO ALL THE FAMILY.
I have many fond memories of your parents. I worked at Amana with your Dad. My Mom taught ceramics in Park City and, your Mom came to learn. She was so sweet. They were fine folks. Prayers for all of you.