Libby Jean Arnsdorff Heidt, 94, passed away at the Effingham Care Rehabilitation Center on November 23, Thanksgiving Day.

She was born on the 4th of July in 1929 to the late Nesbit M. and Bertha T. Arnsdorff in Springfield, GA. She was the Salutatorian of her graduating class of Effingham Academy in 1946.  In 1947 she married Eddie Heidt, a childhood church friend and sweetheart, and they made their home on the Heidt Family Farm in Springfield.  In 1970, when her sons were older and in school, she began working in the Chatham-Effingham Regional Library in Springfield, and she retired as the Library Supervisor after 25 years. She especially enjoyed meeting and getting to know many people, helping students and driving the bookmobile. After retirement, she and Eddie enjoyed traveling with a group of friends.

She was a longtime member of Bethel Lutheran Church where she served on church council, Sunday School treasurer and on the Altar Guild.  She also taught vacation Bible school, weekday church school, Sunday School and was a lifelong active member of the Woman of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELCA).  In 2016 she joined Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church which was established at Ebenezer by "Salzburger" Lutheran German and Austrian immigrants in 1733.

She was descended from several Salzburger families, and was a proud lifetime member of the Georgia Salzburger Society.  She served on the Board of Directors, and worked as a volunteer in the Salzburger Museum, the Loest Research Library and host for special events. For many years she participated in the Georgia Salzburger Society's annual Hinely poster contest making educational posters after researching Salzburger historical topics.  Her last poster was in 2019 at age 90.  As a member of the Effingham County Historical Society, she enjoyed volunteering at festivals and special events. Her interest in genealogy motivated her to research and maintain family records for several ancestral families.

In 2006 a friend encouraged her to participate in the "Ms. Georgia Senior America Pageant", promoting active enthusiastic and dynamic seniors. She competed in the Roswell GA pageant two years, where she met many new friends and was a finalist in 2007.

In 2019 she moved to Lakeview Manor Assisted Living where she enjoyed playing Canasta and participated in other activities. In 2021 she moved to Effingham Care Rehabilitation Center until her passing.

She  was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years,  Eddie P. Heidt, her son Philip M. Heidt, grandson Carey A. Heidt and sister Nadine A. Seckinger.

She is survived by sons Alan T. Heidt (Cathy) of Springfield, James E. Heidt, (Sally) of Whittier, NC, and daughter in law, Linda L. Heidt of Springfield; grandchildren Morgan H. Collins (Josh), Chris Heidt, (Annika) of Springfield, Craig Heidt, and Matthew Heidt (Allison) of Atlanta, and Mary Beth White (Taylor) of Decatur; great grandchildren, Joshua Heidt, Jessica H. Mitchell (Dalton), Adam Heidt, Alex Heidt, Philip C. Heidt, MacKenzie Heidt, Alaina Heidt, Jace Collins, Libby Jean Collins, Landon Heidt, and Olivia Heidt; great great grandson Chapman Mitchell, great great granddaughter Suzie Kate Mitchell, niece Tracy S. Plott, nephew Stuart Seckinger, and nieces Sally Morgan and Carole Counts.

Her life began on a day of celebration and ended with a day of Thanksgiving for the gift of her long, full and incredible life. Her family would like to thank the staff of Effingham Care and Rehabilitation Center for the special care and support they provided to her and to them during her last years.

Visitation will be at Strickland Funeral Home, Springfield, GA from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. Sunday,  November 26, 2023.

Funeral services will be at Jerusalem Lutheran Church, Rincon, GA Monday, November 27, 2023  at  11:00 A.M.

Interment will follow at Bethel Lutheran Church, Springfield, GA

Remembrances may be given to Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2966 Ebenezer Rd. Rincon, GA 31326.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel. 912-754-6421