My beloved baby sister, Heidi Alaura McCallum Carman, age 28, passed away on Thursday, April 24th, 2014, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident near Eldon, Iowa.
Heidi was born in Boise, Idaho, on May 31, 1985, to Jean (Box) McCallum and Wally McCallum. As she was the youngest of ten children, it goes without saying that our baby sister was quite spoiled. It was a wonder that she learned to walk at all, as it was us older kids' duty (and pleasure) to tote her around to wherever she wanted to be.
Heidi was the consummate Mommy's girl.. She and our mom shared a very strong and special bond that was unbreakable both in life and in death. She was also very close to all of her sisters, and there was nothing we wouldn't do for our sweet Heidi.
Heidi spent most of her childhood in Weiser, Idaho, until September of 1998, when she moved to Agency, Iowa. She attended Cardinal Junior/Senior High School, graduating in 2003. She married her sweetheart, Michael Carman, in 2007, and to this union was born three beautiful sons: James Michael (aka Jamesy), Joel Mason (aka Joel Baby), and Jackson Matthew (aka Rowdy Roo). She and her family made their home in Eldon, Iowa, until the time of her death.
Heidi possessed many wonderful talents, such as baking and decorating the most amazing cakes for her nieces' and nephews' birthdays. She even made a wonderful "hillbilly" wedding cake for our sister, Heather, which was made of Twinkies and Hostess Cupcakes. Some of Heidi's other talents were creating beautiful crafts that were displayed in her home, and scrapbooking. After her passing, my sisters and I went through her belongings, and we found a couple of her scrapbooks. They were truly amazing!
Heidi's heart was as big as the outdoors, and everyone who knew her was a better person because of her loving influence.
My sister was, in my opinion, the most beautiful young woman, both physically and spiritually. There was not a mean bone in that girl's body. Though she was the youngest child in our family, she never had a problem with sharing everything she had with anyone and everyone she met. She often graciously opened her home to anyone needing a place to rest their head, even if for a short time.
Though Heidi did have some struggles later in life, she was putting her life back together at the time of her death. Heidi is now perfect, free from adversity or pain, and having that knowledge eases the pain of losing her somewhat.
To tell you how well-loved Heidi was (and still is), she has had two memorials celebrating her life, and another is being planned in her hometown of Weiser, Idaho, sometime in May. The burial of her ashes took place on Thursday, May 1, 2014, at the Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, Iowa. A roadside memorial at the site of the accident was also erected on Tuesday, April 29, by her sisters and parents.
Though Heidi has left this world for a more beautiful dwelling, her spirit lives on in all of our hearts. Heidi made the unselfish decision prior to her death to become an organ donor. Because of this decision, four lives were saved and Heidi lives on through the recipients of her organs.
Heidi is survived by her parents, Jean Box, Wally McCallum, Jr., and Irene McCallum, all of Weiser. She is also survived by her husband, Michael Carman, of Eldon, Iowa, and her children, James, Joel, and Jackson, all of Eldon, Iowa. Heidi is also survived by her siblings, Greg McCallum of Utah, Lorna McNay of Roy, Utah, Tina (Doug) Freeman of Boise, Idaho, Teresa (VerNon) Chandler of Weiser, Idaho, Crystal Channell-Herrick of Weiser, Idaho, Courtney Shaw of Baker City, Oregon, Amber McCallum Proctor of Fremont, Iowa, Alisa (Matt) Lutje of Weiser, Idaho, and Heather (Joe) Maize of Ottumwa, Iowa. Heidi is also survived by 8 nieces, 25 nephews, a great-nephew, and a great-niece.
Heidi was preceded in death by a sister, Tracey Jean, a brother, Timothy Christopher, her maternal grandparents, Marie and Elmer Box, and Wallace McCallum, Sr. and Marian Nelson, her uncle, Robert Earl Box, and her brother-in-law, Robert Ray Valencia, Jr.
Though Heidi has passed on to a more beautiful world, her spirit remains in our hearts always. She has made us all better individuals by her loving example.
The family wishes to thank Jefferson County EMS, Life Flight, and the staff on the neurosurgical ICU at University Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa, for the wonderful, loving care they gave to our beloved sister in her final hours. We also thank them for the kindness shown to the family during this devastating time.
"We love you forever, we like you for always, forever and ever our baby you'll be."
Godspeed, sweet girl. May you always walk with Jesus.
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