Medford woman dies of COVID just days shy of her 100th birthday

The stage was set for a big party marking a century milestone, but the COVID-19 virus that has killed thousands of people had other ideas for a Medford woman.
Family members were forced to postpone a birthday celebration for Luella Heim on Sept. 26 when she came down with COVID-19 just days earlier. Heim died with family members at her side on Sept. 28, just two days shy of her 100th birthday.
Heim is the 22nd COVID death in Steele County since the pandemic began in March 2020.
“She has been more than ready to go for a long time,” said her daughter, Lois Nelson. “I was with her when she took her last breath,” she said, adding Heim died at 6:47 a.m. as the sun was rising.
Nelson is taking comfort in knowing her mother is likely enjoying a much better birthday party than they could have provided. “She got into one whale of a party… bigger than what we had planned,” she said.
Nelson said a family member had just taken Heim outside her home at Medford Senior Care to enjoy the fall air when a staff member delivered the news that she had a positive test for COVID. Heim, who had been vaccinated for COVID, did not show any symptoms. “Mom did comment that this is the way I’m going to go,” Nelson said.
Heim had become known as a fighter over the years. She successfully battled cancer for more than 20 years. Since Heim went into hospice care in June 2020, the family thought she would die at least a half dozen times. “A staff member told our family, ‘We refer to Luella as our little miracle,’” said Nelson.
Nelson said her mother will always be remembered for “her work ethic, her faith and her ability to see the good in all of us.” Nelson said everyone often commented about her mother’s strong faith. “I’m digging deeply on that right now,” she said.
Heim’s 100th birthday bash had been rescheduled for Oct. 23. “She will be partying all month long,” Nelson said.
Heim is survived by nine children. Her obituary is on Page A18.