Marjorie Brass Heiss, 97, of Ketchum, died on Oct. 10, 2007, at Blaine Manor in Hailey, where she resided this past year.
Marjorie, known by all as Marge, was born March 15, 1910, in Caldwell, Idaho. Her father, Ernest Brass, bought the Horace Lewis Ranch in 1907 and Marge moved here in 1912. The ranch was known as the Brass Ranch until it was sold to Union Pacific in 1936. Sun Valley was then born.
Marge had four siblings, Ernestine Glover, Elizabeth Jensen, Richard Brass and Roberta Garrettson.
Marge attended grade school in Ketchum and then went to Boise, as there was no continuing education in Ketchum. After graduating from high school she went to the College of Idaho for three years.
Marge married Clark L. Heiss on Oct. 12, 1933. Clark was a banker at First Security Bank in Hailey, Idaho. After living in Hailey for a few years, they moved to Jerome where he had an insurance/real estate business. She maintained a home in Jerome and Ketchum for more than 30 years. Clark died in 1969 and eventually she moved to Ketchum on a permanent basis.
In the 1950s, Marge and Clark established the Heiss Charolais Ranch and were very active in the promotion of the cattle breed. In later years, Marge traveled extensively, touring ranches around the world.
Marge was very active in the Jerome community as a Girl Scout leader for 11 years, president of the Civic Club, president of the St. Benedicts' Hospital Guild, a director of the Idaho Horse Council, and was the president of the Jerome County Republican Women.
Marge was also one of the founding members and presidents of the Idaho Trail Council. The organization promoted all recreation user groups on backcountry trails and emphasized cooperation and courtesy between the groups. She was very involved in all horse and trail affairs and encouraged her family to continue with this tradition.
Her legacy of love for the Wood River Valley was passed on to her daughters and their children. She loved the mountains, streams, sky and clouds and was very intense about her life outdoors.
Marge was one of the first ladies elected to the Heritage Court of the Blaine Society, which honored women of the Wood River Valley.
Marge leaves three daughters, Cheryl L. Hymas, Lynette Christensen, and Glenda Jo Heiss, and two sons-in-law, Forrest Hymas and David Christensen. She also leaves five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Family graveside services will be at the Ketchum Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, with The Rev. Bob Henley officiating. A public "Celebration of Life" will follow at 3 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, in Ketchum.
Donations in lieu of flowers should be made to the Sawtooth Backcountry Horsemen, P.O. Box 2673, Hailey, Idaho 83333, the Blaine County Auxiliary, P. O. Box 273, Hailey, Idaho 83333, or the Ketchum-Sun Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 2746, Ketchum, Idaho 83340.
Marge Brass Heiss
