Connections are what make life in the Dubuque region so rich and rewarding for Dave and Jane Heiar. From their childhoods in Bellevue to their retirement years in Dubuque, their experiences have brought them close to the people, organizations and culture that they love.
“This is a special place,” Dave says.
“It’s easy for us to get involved, to be part of something,” Jane adds. “That idea of belonging is so important, and we felt that when we moved here.”
That love for the Dubuque region has inspired the Heiars to do what they can today to make a positive difference for future generations. Both volunteer with local organizations, including the Dubuque Dream Academy and the Sisters of St. Francis, and donate to the Community Foundation to support causes they care about.
They also have worked with the Foundation’s planned giving partner, Johni Hays of Thompson & Associates, to develop an estate plan that lets them take care of their family and leave a legacy for their community long after they are gone.
A goal throughout their lives has been to ensure that the Dubuque region is a welcoming place for all people and that everyone can access the resources they need to thrive. Dave worked in municipal government and economic development in Bellevue, Manchester and Dubuque, while Jane taught in Dubuque public schools: Title I reading at Lincoln Elementary; first and second grades at Bryant Elementary.
In retirement, they are involved with several Community Foundation initiatives, including the Better Together Committee and Women’s Giving Circle, because they share the Foundation’s vision for a vibrant and inclusive Dubuque region.
Through that involvement, they learned about the Thompson & Associates partnership and met with Johni Hays to help formulate an approach to estate planning that reflects their values about family and community.
“It was an awesome experience,” Dave says. “There was no pressure.”
“I really liked how she got us to reflect,” Jane adds. “You never think about that when you do a will. She had such a very non-intrusive way of guiding us through that process.”
The Heiars created a plan that will leave sufficient resources for their children and grandchildren while reducing their tax burden and supporting nonprofits. As part of their plan, they prepared a document for the Community Foundation that names seven organizations their estate will support.
It’s a plan built on trust. They have seen first-hand how the Foundation addresses community needs, and they feel assured that the assets they leave will contribute to initiatives that support a welcoming, vital region.
“That’s the beauty of the Foundation,” Jane says. “They really have their finger on the pulse of the community’s needs.”
This article is made possible by a partnership between Julien’s Journal and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
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