Theodore Frank Heidke
It all begins with an idea.
A Legacy of Yes
Roughly two weeks ago, 9/12/25, the day after his 82nd birthday, my grandpa was doing what he did every single day for the last nine years — his daily 9,000-step walk. On that morning, while crossing Buchanan and Main Street in Little Chute, his life was tragically taken by getting hit by a car.
It shook me awake. Life is fragile. And it reminded me of something we can all do today: slow down, leave early, and take care of each other.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” — Colossians 3:2–3
I share this not just because I never want him to be forgotten, but because his life changed mine — and I hope his story can inspire you too.
Who My Grandpa Was
How do you sum up someone like my grandpa? He wasn’t just my grandfather. He was my hero. My role model. My constant.
He was my grandfather by choice — and I believe he chose me every single day.
He was a “yes man.” The kind of man who built memories simply because he always said yes:
Yes to traveling.
Yes to camping trips.
Yes to parasailing.
Yes to riding bikes near alligators.
Yes to dropping me off for skydiving by the sea.
Yes to tacos every Tuesday.
Yes to Friday lunches (it was “law”).
Yes to showing up — to my gala, my graduation, my first art booth.
And in retirement, he didn’t slow down.
He walked 9,000 steps a day for 9 years.
He volunteered as a firefighter.
He built homes with Habitat for Humanity.
He loved my grandma faithfully and fully.
He cheered for the Wisconsin Badgers every chance he got.
He gave his time, his energy, and his heart — not just to me, but to everyone around him.
To me, he was home.
Carrying His Legacy
When I was born, he and my grandma were the only grandparents I had. They gave me stability, love, and memories that will last my entire life.
So here are my promises to him:
I’ll take care of Grandma.
And I’ll continue his walking streak — the one he was on when he left us.
But more than that, I’ll carry his spirit of yes.
He’s made me ask myself: What in my life could I say yes to? Who could I give more to, the way he always did?
Why I’m Sharing This Here
My grandpa is the reason I’m starting a new chapter on my website, Grace’s Gala.
Here, I’ll be sharing my art, my gold jewelry, and — inspired by him — a new illustrated book series based on the Gospel.
My grandfathers life was taken two days after Charlie Kirk. And Charlie’s death is death is waking up America. By his death, he is now immortal. Trying to silence him has only made him louder than ever. His story calls us to live differently — and that’s what I want to carry forward here.
A Call to Action
Stay Healthy — My grandpa walked 9,000 steps a day for nine years. If he can inspire us to anything, let it be to care for our bodies, slow down, and take time to move.
Invest Wisely — Life is short, and your future matters. Good investments — whether in relationships, in your health, or in something lasting like gold — will carry you forward.
Open Your Heart to the Lord — Above all, set your eyes on eternity. Faith was the anchor in my grandpa’s life, and it is the anchor that carries me now.
Grandpa, thank you for choosing me. Thank you for everything.
I love you forever.