Karin Heggen

MISSOULA — Karin, 64, went to be with the Lord on Oct. 7, 2017.

Karin was born in Polson on Aug. 26, 1953, to Bernard and Letitia Johnson. She grew up on the family farm in Round Butte (outside of Ronan). Their family moved to Missoula when she started school. After graduating, she went on to attend the University of Montana where she got a degree in Music Education and Spanish. While in college, she met Thomas Lautzenheiser and they were married June 16, 1973. They had four children.

After finishing her college education, she stayed home to raise their children. Once the kids started school, she taught choir, Spanish and English at Valley Christian School. She taught there for eight years. Then Tom’s job relocated the family to St. Cloud, Minnesota, for three years after which they moved back to Missoula and she returned to teaching at Valley Christian School for several more years.

Tom passed away in 2000. Karin then pursued ministry and pastored Way of Life Church. Her ministry involved pastoring in Missoula but also traveling in the U.S. and the Philippines. She met Larry Heggen and they were married Feb. 14, 2007. Their life together took them different places but always brought them back to Missoula. They worked together as real estate agents with Lambros ERA.

Karin’s life was characterized by her love of God, love for her family, and her heart for people. Because she was obedient to what she felt God was asking her to do, many people’s lives were changed. She was a mother, teacher and pastor to many. She loved ballet, music, and worship.

She is survived by her loving husband, Larry Heggen; son, David (Angela and Xander) Lautzenheiser of Kellogg, Idaho; daughter, Sara (Darrel, Benjamin and Brianna) Stone of Polson; daughter, Jane (Brandon, Autumn, Abner and Elizabeth) Holmes of Stevensville; and son, Daniel (Michelle and Grayson) Lautzenheiser of Vancouver, Washington.

A Celebration of her Life will be held at Christian Life Center, 3801 S. Russell St., Missoula, on Friday, Oct. 13, 2017, at 2 p.m.