Esther Heinen

Esther G. Heinen, age 88 of Melrose, died peacefully Thursday, August 24, 2006 at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, August 28 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Spring Hill. Rev. Leo Leisen and Rev. Ken Thielman will concelebrate with interment following in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in SAUK CENTRE. The Lake Henry Legion Auxiliary service will be at 7:00 p.m., Christian Women of Spring Hill, St. Michael's Catholic Aid and Daughters of Isabella will pray at 7:30 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Esther Heinen was born September 24, 1917 in Spring Hill, Minnesota to Walter and Katherine (Stalboerger) Winter. She was united in marriage to John Heinen on October 11, 1943 in Spring Hill. Together they farmed in Spring Hill for 32 years. Esther was very active in the St. Michael's Parish and enjoyed gardening, quilting and playing cards with friends and neighbors. Esther especially loved spending time and traveling to visit her family and many grandchildren. Esther was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Christian Women of Spring Hill, St. Mary's Mission Society, Daughters of Isabella, Lake Henry Legion Auxiliary and the Catholic Aid Society.

Survivors include her husband, John Heinen of Melrose; children, Jim (Patty) Heinen of Chicago, Illinois, Ralph (Ginny) Heinen of Camas, Washington, Mary Jane (Charles Jackson) Heinen of Minneapolis, Allen (Dorie) Heinen of Champlin, Ron (Karen) Heinen of Melrose, Vern (Cindy) Heinen of Harvard, Illinois, Mark (Chris) Heinen of Sammamish, Washington and John (Barb) Heinen of London, England; 19 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; brother and sister, Ernie (Eleanor) Winter of St. Cloud and Lorraine Primus of Swanville; sisters-in-law, Virginia Winter of St. Cloud, Bernie Winter of Greenwald and Joanie Winter of Wisconsin; and brother-in-law, Clarence Tomczik of St. Cloud.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Katherine (Stalboerger) Winter; step-mother, Veronica (Weyman) Winter; brothers, Elmer, Clarence and Othmar Winter; and sister, Irene Tomczik.

Serving as casket bearers will be Jeff, Erik, Steve, Jason, Joe and Adam Heinen, Rob and Dan DuRay. Cross bearer will be Kimberly Heinen and scripture bearer will be Becky Heinen. Honorary bearers will be the Christian Women of Spring Hill and the St. Mary's Mission Society.

Memorials are preferred.