Emma Heep

Emma “Jean” Saathoff Heep, age 91, of Bandera passed on to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday January 20, 2022, at her home in Bandera, Texas.  She was born to Eugene F. Saathoff and Alta T. Bratton on November 26, 1930, at home in Medina County Texas on the Saathoff Ranch.

She was preceded in death by Almon Heep whom she was married to for 53 years and her second husband Roger Stevens for 14 years. Jean graduated from Bandera High School in 1947 and went to McMurry University before starting her career with V.H. Monette & Company headquartered out of Norfolk, Virginia retiring in the mid 1980’s. Jean became a sales rep for the Mary Kay Cosmetic Company in which she excelled and loved working for. At this time, she began to start focusing on local projects that could improve the community in Bandera and that became her passion along with volunteering her time with her local church.  Jean was a member of the Bandera United Methodist Church for over 70 years, serving on the board of trustees along with playing the organ, United Methodist Women, and other groups serving the members of the church. She was an active member of the Optimist Club of Bandera. In 2002 when the little league fields at Mansfield Park washed away, Jean was one of several people with a vision to move the baseball fields to higher grounds to eliminate the possibility of them washing away again. The Bandera Sports Complex was formed, which Jean was a member of the original board along with serving as President for 11 years. During this time Jean was responsible for writing grant applications for the purpose of acquiring funds for the construction and maintenance of the Sports Complex. She was a beloved member of her community who constantly sought to help and improve the lives of everyone around her and she will be greatly missed. Jean was survived by her son David E. Heep of Bandera; grandchildren:  Dustin Heep, Travis Heep (spouse Jamee), Shannan Hubbard, and Shane Hubbard (spouse Kathy); great-grand-children Haylee, Croix, Trace, Haisley, Cash, Joshua, Kayla, and Liam.

There will be a viewing on Tuesday January 25th at Grimes Chapel in Bandera from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Services will be held at Grimes Chapel on Wednesday January 26th at 10:00 a.m. with the burial following at Bandera Cemetery. Reception to follow services.

Serving as pallbearers are Gary Molberg, Jeff Heep, Mark Mahone, Michael Teich, Travis Stehling, and Robert Ickes.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Jean may be made to Bandera Sports Complex at PO Box 2901, Bandera, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grimes Bandera Funeral Chapel, 1214 Mulberry, Bandera, Texas 78003