Leonie Heidi Kallfelz

Heidi Kallfelz, born September 28, 1941 in Yonkers, NY, daughter of Otto and Leonie (Dessimoz) Gantner, and sister of Loring Gantner, died peacefully on Saturday evening May 27th at her Ithaca home with family by her side.

Heidi spent her early childhood in Yonkers, NY until her family relocated to Walker Valley, NY nestled in the Catskill Mountains.  Heidi spent the remainder of her childhood years in Walker Valley, working at the family-owned general store, Otto’s Lakeside Rest, and at local resort hotels.  Heidi graduated from Pine Bush High School in 1959, where she was very active in athletics and student government, and later in life was proud to say that she was often a first pick (even among the boys) for class softball games.

In 1959, Heidi matriculated to Cornell University, majoring in Home Economics and Education.  At Cornell, Heidi was active in the Women’s Student Government Association, a resident advisor in the freshman dorms, a member of the Cornell Corinthian Yacht Club, and a member of the Sage Chapel Choir.  She was also a devoted member of Tri-Delta Sorority and maintained life-long friendships with many of her sorority sisters.

During her Junior year at Cornell, she met Fran Kallfelz, a PhD student in the Cornell Veterinary School.  Fran and Heidi married in June of 1965, and their first child, Andrew was born in the fall of 1966 before Heidi finished her master’s in Education.  Daughter Susan was born in 1968, and son Douglas in 1972.  Soon after Douglas was born, they moved to a new home in Lansing NY where they lived for the remainder of their lives.

Heidi made Fran and her three children the center of her life. In addition to supporting Fran’s successful academic career, Heidi made time for Cub Scouts, 4H, and countless diverse interests of her three children.  Outside of family life, Heidi found time for Home Demonstration Club, her Investment Club, The Cornell Campus Club, numerous ministries at St. Catherine of Siena Church, and later in life, a member of PEO (Chapter BJ), and the Red Hat Society of Ithaca.  She enjoyed the beauty and rich history of Central NY, and was an avid consumer of the regional visual and performing arts scene.  Heidi’s love for the arts prompted her to develop skills in sewing, knitting, watercolor painting, and basket weaving. She was an exceptional hostess to countless graduate students and families, colleagues, visiting scholars, neighbors, friends, and distant relatives, making everyone feel welcome and comfortable in her home.

A first generation American, Heidi took pride in her Swiss heritage and her hardworking, determined, and brave parents who established a new life for themselves and their family in the United States. The Kallfelz family’s 1976 sabbatical to Vienna, Austria was particularly impactful for Heidi, as she was able to reconnect with her extended family in Switzerland.

As her children married and their families expanded to include 7 grandchildren, Heidi delighted in sharing family adventures and celebrations large and small, near and far.  Beyond her beloved family and treasured Ithaca friends, she also enjoyed the dear friendships she and Fran made in their years wintering in Florida.

Heidi is survived by her three children, Andrew Kallfelz (Julie) of Jamestown, RI; Susan Kallfelz VanderMeer (Thomas) of Manlius, NY; Douglas Kallfelz (Cory) of Warren, RI; and seven grandchildren, Emily and Eliza Kallfelz; Frances, Camille and William VanderMeer; and Otto and Max Kallfelz.  Heidi is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  Heidi is preceded in death by her parents Leonie and Otto Gantner, her brother Loring Gantner, and recently her beloved husband Francis A Kallfelz.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 10:00AM - 11:00AM at Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church, 309 Siena Drive, Ithaca, NY, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM, and internment at East Lawn Cemetery.  A livestream of the Mass can be found on the St. Catherine of Siena website (https://stcathofsiena.org/). Immediately following Mass all are invited to attend a luncheon reception at St. Catherine of Siena Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, St. Catherine of Siena Church, the Portal De Belen Foundation (http://www.portaldebelenfoundation.org/) or the charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bangs Funeral Home, Ithaca, NY. Online condolences may be made to Heidi’s family at www.bangsfuneralhome.com.