Raeleen Marie (Groft) Heffernan, 81, of Fremont, NE and formerly of Redfield, SD, passed away Monday, August 7, 2023, at the Methodist Hospital in Omaha, NE. 

   Her visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with family present, on Friday, August 18, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  A prayer service, time of sharing, and rosary will start at 7:00 p.m.

   Raeleen’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 19, at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Redfield.  Father John Short will officiate.  Burial will follow at St. Bernard’s Catholic Cemetery in Redfield.

   Her Mass of Christian Burial will be live-streamed on the funeral home’s website below Raeleen’s obituary.  Hyke Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with her arrangements (www.hykefuneralhome.com). 

   Raeleen was born on November 12, 1941, in Frankfort, SD, to Charles “Ray” and Eulalia (Rueschenberg) Groft.  She attended rural grade school.  In 1960, Raeleen graduated from Redfield High School.

   On May 19, 1962, Raeleen married Charles “Mick” Heffernan Jr. in Frankfort.  For a few years, they lived in Frankfort before settling in Redfield.  With their marriage, they had three children.  Raeleen worked as a nurse’s aide at Redfield Community Memorial Hospital, and as both a 4^th grade teacher’s aide and a cook in the Redfield Public School.  She enjoyed the time she spent with the students and retired after 33 years of service with the school.

   Due to illnesses, Raeleen moved to Nebraska to be with her daughter Deena and her family.  She enjoyed being with her grandchildren, baking and sharing, having coffee, shopping, and going places with family and friends.  Raeleen enjoyed watching Samantha dance at her recital, special snuggles, and precious smiles from Carlos in Omaha, NE.  She loved watching Orrin enjoying the outside and eating his fresh grown vegetables in Springfield, OR.

   Raeleen is survived by her daughters:  Dawn (John) Carlson of Aberdeen, SD and Deena (Wayne) Johnson of Fremont, NE; and five grandchildren that she adored:  Michael Johnson of Fremont, NE, Lacey (Micah Elconin) Johnson of Springfield, OR, Logan (Taylor) Aurelia-Johnson of Omaha, NE, Ashton Johnson of Elkhorn, NE, and Dakotah Carlson of Brookings, SD.  She was given three beautiful, precious, and kind great-grandchildren all in the same year!  She is also survived by her sister Patsy (Eddie) Haider of Frankfort and brother Dick (Nila) Groft of Redfield.

   She is preceded in death by her husband Mick and infant son James.