Jennifer J. Heikkinen, age 58, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2022, at Edward Hospital in Naperville. She was born May 28, 1964, in Bemidji, Minn., to Willis (Buster) and Beatrice (Johnson) Spaulding.
Jenny married Scott Heikkinen, her best friend and the love of her life, on May 9, 1987, in Bemidji. They made their home in Naperville, Ill. Jenny loved her husband and children, Michael, who passed away as an infant, Christopher (Lauren), and new grandson Hayes Scott, Nashville, Tenn., Alexa, Naperville, Jonathon (Vivienne Eng), Chicago, Ill.
Jenny will be dearly missed by siblings Margaret (Tim) Hins of Bemidji, Minn., Greg (Nicole) Spaulding of Thief River Falls, Minn., Sue Decker of Marshfield, Wis., Becky Andre of St. Bonifacius, Minn., Mike (Sue) Spaulding of Solway, Minn., and Susan Spaulding of Las Vegas, Nev., mother-in-law Beverly Heikkinen and the late Ronald Heikkinen of Brantwood, Wis., brothers-in-law Mark (Kim) Heikkinen of Las Vegas, Nev., and Craig (Julie) Heikkinen of River Falls, Wis., uncle and aunt Val (Buzz) and Marilyn (Johnson) Cook and aunt Dolores (Johnson) Jacobson. Jenny adored her nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins and her many friends. Jenny will also be dearly missed by her dogs Zeus and Apollo, and her cats Peeps, JJ, GiGi and TJ.
Jenny grew up in Bemidji and attended St. Philip’s School through 8th grade and graduated in 1982 from Bemidji High School where she, as a hockey cheerleader, proudly cheered on the Lumberjacks. After high school, she attended and graduated from the World Travel Academy in Minneapolis. She was a dedicated worker for several businesses starting with the family business – Spaulding Motors, Inc. and was currently employed as an administrative assistant at Baird & Warner Naperville, whom she considered her work family.
Jenny had a passion for all animals, especially horses. She loved Goldy and Sundance, her childhood horses, and brought home many ribbons from the horse shows.
Jenny was a member of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Naperville.
Visitation will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 2220 Lisson Rd., Naperville.
Interment: Naperville Cemetery, Naperville.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jenny’s memory may be made to Naperville Area Humane Society; The Anti-Cruelty Society; One Tail at a Time. For more information, please call 630-355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com.