87, wife of loving husband, Franklin F. Benz Jr., passed away peacefully on July 22,2023 to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Heidi was born on December 6, 1935, in Steinbach, Germany to Karl and Katherine Schneider. During her youth, she excelled in school and worked several jobs to help her family through the hardships of WW II Germany. After working for an American Colonel's family in Stuttgart, Germany, she married and moved to NYC, USA.
Heidi soon became a proud mother of her two sons, Dimitrios (Jimmy) and Paul Galitsis. She quickly taught herself to read, write, and speak English and Greek and would help her sons with their Greek homework.
Heidi was a lady of fashion, music, cooking, baking, languages and sewing. German or Greek music was always heard in her home, especially while cooking awesome meals or creating handmade dresses, outfits, and sweaters.
After several years in the United States, Heidi became a single mom and achieved her vocation as a licensed hairstylist. She especially enjoyed working in a Closter beauty parlor where she was blessed with the introduction to her loving husband, Frank (Buddy) F. Benz Jr.
Heidi and Buddy soon married and would share 48 years together. They grew their Colonial Boiler Service business, traveled, enjoyed skiing in Europe and the western USA, spent many summers boating to Block Island and watched their family grow.
Heidi raised two sons. Jimmy, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, who attributes his culinary skills and success to his mother. Her talent for baking and fine cooking sparked his love of the culinary arts. Heidi's talent for designing clothing and knitting would help Paul with his dental school expenses.
Heidi and Frank would soon welcome their beautiful grandchildren, Ariana, Jason, Taylor and Nicholas. She and Buddy, now Oma and Opi, would create life long special memories for their grandchildren. Baking German Christmas cookies, picking currants, berries, veggies and flowers from Oma's garden and endless hours swimming in Oma and Opi's pool are indelible memories for them.
Heidi is survived by her loving husband, Buddy, her two son's Jimmy, Paul and his wife Laurie, her grandchildren Ariana, Jason, Taylor and Nicholas, her brother Reinhard, sisters Elfrieda and Brunhilda, as well as several cousins in Germany.
Services will be at Moritz Funeral Home in Closter, NJ on July 24, 2023 from 4-8 with a prayer service and blessing at 8:00pm.

Donation in Heidi's honor may be made to Closter Fire Department: 100 Ruckman Road Closter, NJ 07624

https://www.closterfd.org/donate