Wilhelmina Heckel Gobiet Wilhelmina Heckel Gobiet passed away to be with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 21, 2006. Her husband of 67 years, Walter, preceded her on March 24, 2001. Wilhelmina Heckel was born in Rock Port, Missouri, on March 19, 1910, and graduated from high school there, in 1928. She continued her education by attending Chillocothe Business College, at the time the largest business school in the midwest. The college emphasized bookkeeping, stenography and teletype training. From Chillocothe, Miss Heckel took her first job with Swift & Company in Chicago, Illinois. Wilhelmina later, at the urging of relativies, came West and accepted a job at Commercial Credit of Seattle, Washington. Even though the Great Depression had hit, Wilhelmina accepted a proposal of marriage in 1933, and she and Walter Gobiet moved to Snohomish, Washington, where they both were fortunate to have jobs in the area. The new Mrs. Gobiet worked as a bookkeeper at Wood Motors in Everett. With the birth of her twins years later she gave up her business career for the new profession of housewife and mother, yet finding time to volunteer at the Fobes PTA and became a Bluebird and Camp Fire Leader, earning the Golden Apple Award and Camp Fire Leadership awards. She eventually accepted a part time employment at the Fobes Grocery and served in the 1950's as secretary for the Methodist Church. "Mena," as her many friends called her, and Walter maintained an open door policy to relatives, friends, children and their caring neighbors in the close knit Fobes community for over 50 years. The coffee pot always seemed to be on where Mena could indulge her Midwest heritage of cooking and being a very fine cook. Mena continued the lifelong value of learning. Until her vision began to fail in the last few years, she loved to read, complete crossword puzzles, and keep up on correspondence, acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries and other events. Even the pain she endured these last four years didn't deter her. Again her rugged Midwest values served her well.Wilhelmina Heckel Gobiet has left a legacy: a devoted wife, mother and friend, a loving and lovely lady who never lost her faith, intellect or sense of humor. The family wishes to express great appreciation to all the neighbors, friends and caregivers who made life better for her during these past years.Mrs. Gobiet is survived by her twin children, Jon Gobiet, and Jan Hammons; sister, Dorothy Shurggards; two granddaughters, Cindy Sherwood, and Denise Lull; four great-grandchil-dren; and nephews and nieces.Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, at Bauer Funeral Chapel, Snohomish. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, at G.A.R. Cemetery, with the Reverend Dr. David Aasen, officiating. A reception will follow the burial at the Snohomish United Methodist Church, 6202 99th Avenue S.E. Memorials are suggested to your favorite charity. Published in the Daily Herald from 1/25/2006