To view Hank's Funeral Liturgy, please click HERE.

Henry "Hank" Heffern , 83, of Grand Forks, North Dakota, passed away peacefully at home on July 1, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Hank was born on January 27, 1943, in Ardoch, North Dakota, to Edward and Carrie Heffern. Later that same year, the family moved to Grand Forks, where he attended St. Michael's School and became a lifelong member of St. Michael's Catholic Church.

On December 6, 1962, Hank married the love of his life, Sandra "Sandy" (Hadland) Heffern. Together, they built a loving family and shared more than six decades of marriage.

Hank was a man defined by his work ethic. He often said he had never filled out a job application in his life, and he took great pride in every job he ever held. Self-taught and endlessly resourceful, there was seemingly nothing he couldn't build, fix, or figure out.

He retired in March 2020 after 32 years with Technology Applications Group (TAG), but one job was never enough for Hank. In September 1989, he also began working for Hampton Corporation, where he continued working until the very end. Providing for his family was one of his greatest joys and proudest accomplishments.

Outside of work, Hank had a true need for speed. In his younger days, he was a stock car driver, proudly driving Car #6 at the Grand Forks Speedway and on the regional racing circuit, An adrenaline junkie at heart, he loved speedboating, wave runners, hunting, fishing, downhill skiing, and every kind of summer watersport. He looked forward to skiing at Big Sky, Montana, every March, where he raced down the mountains with fearless enthusiasm. He often joked that he felt like Ricky Bobby: "If you're not first, you're last." Summers were reserved for making memories with family at Maple Lake and later at Detroit Lakes, a tradition he cherished every summer.

Above all else, Hank's greatest love was his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sandy; his children, Kristin Heffern of San Tan Valley, Arizona; Marc and Julie Heffern of Chandler, Arizona; and Kurt and Shannon Heffern of Flagstaff, Arizona; his granddaughter, Jade Heffern; his grandson, Bastian Riffo; his great-granddaughter, Noemi Riffo of Kauai, Hawaii; his sisters, Charlotte Dixon of Kennewick, Washington, and Mary McClain of Canton, Georgia; his brothers-in-law, Larry Hadland (Elaine) of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Rod Hadland (Deb) of San Tan Valley, Arizona; his sisters-in-law, Irene Heffern of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Izola Heffern of Grand Forks, North Dakota; and many beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Carrie Heffern; his brothers, Jim and John Heffern; his sisters, Evelyn and Abby; his brothers-in-law, Ted Jensen, Vernon Sander, Bill Dixon, and Tony McClain; and his parents-in-law, Lawrence and Joyce Hadland.

Hank will be remembered as a man of unwavering determination, remarkable ingenuity, boundless energy, and unconditional love for his family. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the example he set, and the countless lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Hank's honor may be made to HIA Hospice of Grand Forks, North Dakota, The St. Carlo Acutis Middle School building project in Grand Forks, or the Charity of your choice.

Funeral Liturgy : 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 9, 2026 in the Norman Funeral Home chapel.
Visitation : One hour prior to the funeral liturgy at the funeral home on Thursday.
Burial : Calvary North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND.