Donald Huehn
Obituary
HUEHN, Donald
January 13, 1927 to December 26, 2020
Don was born to Oscar Adam Huehn and Iona Margaret (Steiss) in their kitchen in Conestogo. Oscar and his three brothers ran the Conestogo and Heidelberg General Stores. Iona, a landscape artist and proud of her heritage, did not give dad a middle name since “you only need a good Scottish first name”. Don is predeceased by his dear older brother, Stewart, (Jan 2000) and the love of his life, Ona Marion, a teacher (Nevill – April 2002). They had 49 happy years raising Linda, Barry and Sandra. Later they were loving grandparents of Scott & Andrew Huehn, Adam & Rachel Sweanor, and Alex & Erin Kaak. Favourite early memories were of family camping with the original five. We also travelled the US and Canada from shore to shore. As empty nesters Don and Ona visited Australia, New Zealand, and Europe however the summers at their Lake Huron cottage with the grandchildren were their favourite times.
Dad was selected most outstanding all-round athlete at Elmira High and was the local team’s shortstop. He enlisted for WWII after graduating. Even at 85 he was zip-lining in Costa Rica and walking 13 kilometres on the beach. Until the age of 92, he would kayak and ride his two-wheel bike for hours.
He was a top seller at London Life for 33 years and was proud of his client retention rate and the gratitude he received from beneficiaries. He loved to tell the story that London Life almost didn’t hire him due to his high blood pressure. Instead, he hoped to reach 100, like his father, and might have done so except for Covid-19. He was friendly and sociable and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was a 55-year member of Siloam United Church and a freemason of the St. John’s 209a Lodge A.F. & A.M. His dazzling smile, twinkling eyes and fondness for dancing captivated our mother and his loyalty (and almost as good as Mom—bridge playing) maintained their love.
We wish to give special thanks to his nieces and nephews, (David, Barbara, Paul, Alan and Vicki), Richmond Woods Retirement Home and to his PSW, Mo Nisbet. They were there for him when he needed them. Donations for Diabetes Canada would be appreciated. A zoom memorial will be held Sunday February 7th, 2021. Please contact Linda, Barry or Sandy for details. Arrangements entrusted with Cremation London & Middlesex, 519-858-2467. Online condolences shared at www.cremationlondon.com
A most pleasant memory of Don… After doing a Siloam’s men’s breakfast a few years back, Don and myself took my aircraft and flew over Conestoga, where Don took great delight pointing out key family land marks. A most pleasant sharing with and from a most positive caring man.
My friendship with Don started at London Life where he was a rep and I worked in policy change department. I found that Don was thick skinned which was necessary for a Rep(I think). He sold us our first son’s policy. as part of the interview he talked about his kids and what they were doing. I asked Don. about his kids success. His first reply was it all due to his wife but his sage advise which I took to heart and used with all my children was “ I always said when you go to university ,not if you go to university. I attribute that statement to my children success today. Don was also a friend through Northridge community, Siloam United, and as a hiker with Thames Valley Trail Association. Miss him
Sorry to hear of Donald’s passing. He was a good cousin to my Dad (Robert) and in later years stopped in when he was passing through Waterloo on long road trips. My Dad was in awe of how much Donald loved to drive; even in his eighties a 9-hour road trip didn’t faze him. Those Heidelberg Huehns were special gentlemen.