Hero Edwin Himanga

Hero E. Himanga Wenatchee, WA Hero Edwin Himanga, 89, passed away on April 6, 2012. Hero was born near Frederick, SD on July 15, 1922. Hero grew up on a farm in northeastern South Dakota. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January 1944, and served in the infantry in the United States Army during World War II. As a Private First Class, Hero marched across Europe and was involved in battles and campaigns at Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He received a Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with three bronze battle stars, one Overseas Service Bar, an Army of Occupation Medal - Germany, and a Good Conduct Medal. He was Honorably Discharged on May 5, 1946. Hero married his sweetheart, LaRayne Gruett, on June 24, 1947 in Aberdeen, SD. Hero and LaRayne had six children. He worked for John Deere for 32 years, taking various positions in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota before retiring in 1980. Hero and LaRayne enjoyed taking their children on many family camping vacations, exploring many state and national parks. They enjoyed square dancing and belonged to several square dancing clubs. Hero had several hobbies, including hunting small game (pheasants, ducks, and geese), metal detecting and fixing things. Many people commented he could fix just about anything. In his later years, Hero enjoyed travelling with his wife to visit family and friends. Hero survived a bout with cancer in 2001, and underwent extensive surgery to control the disease. In 2002, he and LaRayne moved to Wenatchee to be closer to family. While in Wenatchee, he enjoyed attending Relay for Life Events, and the recognition he received as a cancer survivor. He was always hoping to be the oldest survivor attending. Hero was preceded in death by his wife, LaRayne; a daughter, Elizabeth Hickok; four sisters; and four brothers. He is survived by his brother, John (Delores) Himanga of Frederick, SD; sister-in-law, Darlys Himanga of Hecla, SD; sister-in-law, LaVonne (Robert) Peterson of Grand Forks, ND; sister-in-law, Marlene Gruett of Orange, CA; daughter, Lyndell (Mike) Thompson of Arvada, CO; daughter, Mary (Ken) Peterson of Entiat, WA; daughter, Melody (Stuart) Woolley of Wenatchee, WA; son, Mathew Himanga of Rochester, MN; and son, Larry (Katie) Himanga of Lake City, MN; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandson; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Celebration of Hero's Life is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2012, at East Wenatchee First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. Inurnment is planned at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are assisted by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Hero Edwin Himanga

July 15, 1922 - April 6, 2012