BELLA VISTA — Cecelia ( Cele) Frances Heinen Jurgens,

83, beloved mother, grand- mother and wife, was born July 18, 1937, in Andover, S.D., the 11th child of Francis and Victoria (Schmit) Prunty and one of 16 children. She was born into eternal life on Dec. 30, 2020, Bella Vista, Ark.

She attended a rural country school and later Andover High School, graduating in 1955. She loved all sports and played basketball in high school and was a college cheerleader.

Cele went on Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen (now Northern State University) on a scholarship, earning her degree in high school education. She met Francis Heinen; upon graduation, they married August 3, 1959, and began teaching in Hoven, S.D. Fran taught math and science and coached while Cele taught English and shorthand. Son Thomas was born in 1960, and four more children followed in the next six years.

In 1965, the family jumped the border to Minnesota for new opportunities as Fran moved into school administration. They moved to Red Wing, and later Pine Island, Montevideo, Zumbrota, Sartell, and finally Waseca, Minn., where they stayed over 20 years.

Cele was a “stay at home” mom and supported the kids through many volunteer activities from scouts to sports. She cooked and sewed and kept a large garden. She was a substitute teacher. As the kids got older, she returned to employment in part to help the kids with college expenses.

Education was important to Cele and she was proud that all five went to on to college and some beyond. She enjoyed golf and staying active with biking and walking. One constant in her life was her Catholic faith. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Bella Vista and an active member and volunteer longtime of a Catholic parish in each town she lived in. She taught CCD course, participated in Bible studies and adoration for many years.

Fran and Cele retired to Bella Vista, Ark., after retirement in 1996, at first parttime and later full time. The enjoyed the warmer winters and great golf. They travelled to Ireland, India, and twice to the Holy Land. There were many trips to Minnesota to visit kids, often planning their trips around grandchildren’s sports events and school plays, first communions, and later graduations.

Fran died in Bella Vista, Ark., June 30, 2012, after a battle with cancer.

Cele married Thomas Jurgens in 2014 at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church. They enjoyed boating on Lake Loch Lomond as well dining out with Tom. They continued their involvement with the church.

Cele is survived by husband Thomas Jurgens; sons Thomas (Tami Phillippi) of St. Paul, Minn., Mark (Mary) of Maple Grove, Minn., and Patrick ( Christy) of Richmond, Va.; daughters Stacy (Lauren) Peters of Prior Lake, Minn., and Stephanie (Alan) Thielfoldt of Blue Earth, Minn.; stepchildren Julie (John) Vaughan of Edmond, Okla., Donald ( Rhonda) Jurgens of Fort Smith, Ark.; grandchildren Jack, Mark (Keeley), Luke, Connor, Avery, Tate, Juliet, Camryn, Austin and Mary Caroline; nine siblings; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a celebration of life Saturday, Jan. 2, with a Mass of the Resurrection at 10 a.m., visitation at 9 a.m. followed by rosary at 9:30. She will be interred at St. Bernard’s columbarium. Memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice or St. Bernard Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed at www.funeralmation.com .