| Laci Dawn Mai |
Laci Dawn Mai (Heckadon) passed away on July 18, 2026, at the age of 43. She was born in Osborne, Kansas on August 2, 1982. She will always be remembered as an amazing daughter, big sister, devoted friend and truly free-spirited soul that could light up a room.
Laci had a natural gift for making people laugh with her smile and humor that was out of this world with love and laughter like her favorite saying “Sweet Baby Jesus”. Her random test of goofy videos just to put a smile on your face. She approached life with such confidence and her heart on her sleeve for anyone. She was extremely talented with everything that was put in front of her no matter what it could be.
Her love for animals at such a young age, we always joked she was the animal whisper. Her love for animals was truly special, they seemed to instantly trust her, sensing the kindness and warmth she carried. Laci sure loved her Frenchie’s and Peter Pete her pitbull which he was her baby and her love for her horse Winston and their bond together was something beautiful.
She treated everyone in her life like family, whether through her love of cooking or get togethers, her Lasagna was something extremely extraordinary that no one could ever forget, to her home feeling like a home with all her beautiful décor the reflected her vibrant personality with comfort, joy and love.
Above all, Laci had a way of making people feel good simply by being around her. That was her gift, on that would be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Laci was struggling with health challenges that she tried to fight with such strength and courage in every battle that came her way. She was one strong cookie.
Laci survived by her family: mother Lorie and (step-father) Lavern Pickering, father Joseph and (step-mother) Kim Mai Armstrong, Brother Jerrod and (sister-n-law) Carmi Mai (niece Emmalee Mai, Brother Derek and (nephew Killan Mai, Sister Janelle and (brother-nlaw) Dusty Eagleburger (nephews) Braden and Jaxson (niece) Kinsley, Brother Andrew and (sister- n-law) Sarabella Mai, (nephews) Winston and Stetson, Grandfather Vurl Ray and Grandmother Patti Palmer-Thomas, husband James Heckadon and a host of numerous other loving family and friends.
She is proceeded in death by her great-grandparents Theda Patterson- Thomas and Vurl Thomas, grandparents Marg and Vernon Mai, aunt Karee Thomas, great grandmother Ethel Thomas, Uncle Jack Mai, great uncle Paul Thomas, and nephew Justyn Larsen- Mai.
Laci, you’ve always been an angel now you just have the wings to prove it.
A memorial service was held on August 22, 2026 at Williams and Kuehn Funeral Home in Red Cloud. Committal Service was at Odessa Cemetery near Esbon.
Memorials are designated to Laci Mai Memorial Fund toward funeral expenses and may be sent in care of Williams and Kuehn Funeral Home, 241 West 4th Ave. Red Cloud, Nebraska 68970.
The Phonograph-Herald | August 26, 2026