Mercedes M. Heley, 79, passed away Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at her home in Horace, ND.           

Mercedes Magdaline (Wisnewski) Heley was born November 28, 1945, at Hankinson, ND. She was the fourth child born to Edward F. and Eleanor T. (Witucki) Wisnewski. She had an older brother, Jerome, and two older sisters, Elizabeth (Sister Juliana) and Leonette. Later another brother, Florian (Joe) was born. 

            The family lived in Geneseo, ND. Mercedes attended grade school at St. Boniface Catholic School in Lidgerwood, ND. She rode 6 miles to school with the other older children that attended the high school there. Mercedes sang in the school choir and in the 7th and 8th grade the choir members often got out of class to sing the Latin “Requiem Mass” for funerals held at St. Boniface Church. 8th grade graduation was a special day with a ceremony at church, diplomas passed out and parties.

            Mercedes attended high school at St. Francis Academy in Hankinson, ND. She car pooled every day with other students, a drive of 19 miles. She graduated from St. Francis in May 1963. While Mercedes attended high school her job was to help her parents at home. She helped where she needed, either doing housework, ironing, baking, gardening or working at the Coffee Bee Café that her parents managed in Geneseo, ND. Mercedes never had a car of her own but used the family car for carpooling to school and occasionally for pleasure. 

            Mercedes met Chuck Heley at his brother, Roman’s wedding in Geneseo, ND on April 23, 1960. They went on their 1st date later that year. Chuck and Merc both liked to dance and that’s how they spent most of their dates. They dated on and off and got married on June 25, 1965, at St. Martin’s Catholic Church in Geneseo, ND.

            After high school graduation, Mercedes got a job in Fargo, ND at Northwestern Bell Telephone. She worked as a long-distance operator and later as an instructor. Chuck knew someone that just got a job in Fargo also, and was looking for a roommate, so Mercedes moved in with Janet. The apartment was about 10 blocks from the telephone company, and Mercedes didn’t have a car, so it wasn’t far to walk. A week after Merc moved in, she came home from work and found a note from Janet saying she had moved back to Minneapolis. A month or so later Merc did find another roommate. Mercedes walked to work most days working a split shift, so made the trip twice a day. She walked to the grocery store and carried the laundry to the laundromat. She worked a lot of weekends as an operator. When she became an instructor she worked day hours Monday-Friday. Mercedes had several different roommates and moved several times. She found the best roommate when marrying Chuck in June of 1965.  

Bridget was born on January 5, 1967. Mercedes returned to work at the telephone company when Bridget was 3 months old. The company allowed a 3 month maternity leave. Merc chose to work early morning hours (6AM-3PM) so Chuck got Bridget up and ready for the day, then took her to the babysitter before he went to work at 8 am. These hours worked well for the family because Chuck often worked late into the evening.

Tamara was born March 19, 1970.  Merc stayed at home to be a full-time mother. When Tamara started school, she went back to work part time at first, and as the children got older Merc worked full time until retirement. She worked at Ben Franklin Variety Store in Fargo from 1976-1981, as a cashier and also managed the greeting card department. She worked at Connco shoes in Fargo from 1981-1986, doing general retail work until the store closed. She also worked at Hurleys Religious Goods in Fargo, where she did anything that needed to be done- cashier, customer service, shipping, ordering merchandise, cleaning, opening and closing the store, doing inventory and going on buying trips to Chicago.  Merc retired in December of 2007.

In June 1978, Chuck and Merc bought a new home on one acre of land 1 mile south of Horace, ND. They paid $49,900 for the 3 bedroom home with a basement and double garage. They had saved enough money to pay for half of the home and put the rest on a 10 year contract at 9 ½ interest. They were able to pay off the loan in 6 years.

The Heley’s were the first family to move into the Country Acres Development. There are now 14 homes in this development. They enjoyed the country living and the space to bike ride, snowmobile, play volleyball, ride golf cart, motor scooters, walking and all sorts of activities. Their home and yard hosted many milestone birthdays and other event parties. As of now 2011, Chuck and Merc continue to enjoy living there although it’s no longer “country” with homes built all around. Their three grandchildren, Lacey, Mickey and Cole have all spent a lot of time with them making memories for them.

Surviving are husband:  Charles; daughters:  Bridget Marie,  Tamara Leigh;  grandchildren:  Lacey Marie Finnell,  Mickey Charles Finnell and Cole Andrew Schmidt;  great-grandchildren, Josie and  Camden; sister:  Elizabeth (Sister Juliana) Wisnewski and a brother: Florian (Joe) Wisnewski.  She was preceded in death by parents; and a brother, Jerome and a sister, Leonette.

Visitation:  An hour prior

Memorial Service: 2p.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025, West Funeral Home, West Fargo

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com