Goodbye my sweet friend Heather

March 1, 1979 - January 26, 2009

Heather Ann Whetzel Bissegger passed peacefully from this life on January 26, 2009, at the age of 29.

Lou Gehrig’s Disease may have overcome her body, but it didn’t stand a chance against her spirit and her iron will. In all its debilitating cruelty, ALS never once affected her sunny optimism, sweet demeanor, or ferocious courage. And she didn’t allow her body to succumb to the disease a single day before she was ready and her work here was finished.

Part of that work was as a beloved teacher and volleyball coach at Bingham High School. She taught computers and business law. Heather never failed to inspire the thousands of students who are better from having been in her classes. She continued to teach even after her diagnosis with ALS, and in doing so she again showed the heart of a champion that she displayed as a volleyball player at Utah Valley University, and later as a volleyball coach in club and at Bingham. Her students, players and fellow faculty members will miss her.

As will her family and friends. Volleyball came in third in her life behind God and her loved ones. Her favorite thing in the world was to have dinner and visit with her parents, Don and Vicki Whetzel, and her older siblings and their spouses: Rebecca Seat and husband Jeff Seat, Mark Whetzel and wife Kristen Whetzel, Kristi Strong and husband Greg Strong, along with her cherished nieces and nephews, and of course her husband, Jeff Bissegger. She married him on August 7, 1999, in the Salt Lake Temple. Heather’s unwavering commitment to activity in the LDS Church and to living gospel principles sustained both her and Jeff throughout their struggle with ALS. Another of Heather’s favorite things was to watch reality TV with her mother-in-law, Barbara Bissegger, and with her sweet black lab Jack by her side.

Perhaps the key to Heather’s hold over so many peoples’ hearts was this: she was a stunningly gorgeous young woman who exhibited such obvious talent and intelligence, yet she always called attention to other peoples’ strengths and qualities. She made you feel as though you were the most valuable person on the planet. And even as ALS destroyed her physical body, she never complained or gave in to negativity. Her focus remained sharply on the feelings and well-being of others.

Free again to move about and enjoy her prized independence, she smiles on us now from heaven, serving as a guardian angel to the many people who love her. We know we will feel her spirit strongly at her services on Saturday, January 31, 2009, at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South in Sandy at 11:00 a.m. There will be a viewing one hour before the services at 10:00 a.m., and one the night before on Friday, January 30, 2009, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the same location. And please do send or bring flowers—lots of flowers. Because Heather loved, and we suppose she still does love, pretty flowers. Those who would like to offer condolences may do so at www.larkincares.com

Tanna's surgery

I know when you hear the word surgery it's an instant reaction to freak out. No worries, this was a really simple procedure to simply remove some wax from her ear. We have tried everything for the last 2 months to get this stuff out of her ear and nothing worked. Finally we went to an ENT and he tried and there was still no luck. He recommended we just put her under and surgically remove it. We to the surgical center around 8:30am and we were home by 11:30am. She did great and the nurses just loved her.

Before surgery watching t.v. with her blanket

Starting to get loopy from the drugs!

After surgery with dad

The nurses made her a crown and let her ride to the car on her chariot.

Heather Bissegger

This week has been a tough week. I had to say goodbye to one of my most dearest friends. Heather was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) in 2006. Heather has now lost full movement in most of her body. She still has some movement in her neck and arms. About a year ago they put her on a ventilator and that machine now breaths for her. Heather has the most amazing husband and he has been taking care of her. They are so sweet and cute with each other. After much pray and through Jeff and Heather's faith she has decided that her time here on earth is over and it's time for her to return to live with her Heavenly Father. This decision has brought complete peace to Heather's life.

On Saturday we had a celebration for her life and she was able to say goodbye to most of her friends and family. We were able to visit with her and talk about memories and better times. I can't even tell you how many people showed up to visit with Heather and tell her how much they loved her. She had a steady line for almost 7 hours. I know the impact she has had on my life and I'm sure she's done that for every person who came to see her on Saturday.

This Friday I will have the opportunity to go and see her one last time and visit with her. I have so many things I want to tell her and let her know of the impact she had on my life. Heather and I have been friends for over 12 years. We played volleyball together and lived together for 2 years. Every memory I have from 1997 - 1999 involves Heather. She was my partner in crime and the one I always turned to in times of need. During volleyball she was my #1 fan and always supported me. She never cared about her success she always wanted everyone around her to succeed. She taught me to come out of my shell and be the person I am today. Her attitude and happiness was definitely contagious. Heather was a friend to everyone and she treated everyone the same. She has always been concerned about everyone around her and always willing to help in anyway. I am such a better person for knowing Heather and I pray that I can be that type of friend to everyone I know. If Heather has taught me anything in the last couple of years is that your family & friends should be the most important thing in your life. The relationships we make are what we can take with us . I will always love you Heather and will remember you for the rest of my life. What a joyous reunion you will have with family members in the next couple of days.

I wanted to post some memories I have of Heather and please be aware this may come as a shock to some of you, but I was a little bit of a dork in high school and college.

Club 1997

Emily popped a volleyball and Heather decided it would make a perfect hat for the day. She was always making us laugh!

We got this really great idea to see if Heather could walk the ledge of our hotel room. We were on the second floor, so we made a harness from straps on our volleyball bags and let her go. What were we thinking. Oh yeah we also put an ice bucket on her head for protection in case she fell.

This is us holding on while she went.

If we weren't playing volleyball we were dressing up and planning a mission. This was one of the many times we toilet papered the Richards Home.

UVSC 1997-1998

Piggy Tails at the Snow College game. We didn't care if we won, all that mattered was how good we looked.

The famous Heather and Abbey face (yes we were dorks)

What would volleyball be without the hot USA volleyball players.

Posing after a game

These are 4 of my dearest friends.

Amanda, Emily, Me, Melissa and Heather in front.

Thanks for all the memories Heather. You will be in my heart forever.

Birthday Party For Heather

In a span of 2 months there are 5 of my friends from college that we all have our birthdays. Well this year we are all turning 30 so we decided to have a party together. Most of you know what's been going on with Heather and unfortunately this year she will not be turning 30. We decided regardless if it's her birthday or not we're going to celebrate her 30 years of life. We had cake, ice cream, hats, & horns. We were all able to give Heather her last birthday present from us and gave her a charm that would remind her of each of us. We love you Heather!

Happy 30th

I have the best family & friends. My friend Shantell and her husband decided to throw a surprise birthday party for me on my 30th. With help from Wayne they were able to track down a whole group and completely surprise me. I originally thought we were meeting the Staigers for dinner and when we got there, there was a room full of friends and family. It was a really great night.

I seriously have the best family & friends.