Joseph Heinen

Joseph J. Heinen, age 70 of Sauk Centre, passed away Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis, Minnesota from complications following surgery.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 27 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Todd Schneider officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery. Military Honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Sauk Centre. Parish prayers will be held at 5:15 p.m. Thursday evening followed by the United Veterans prayer service at 7 p.m.

Joseph John Heinen was born April 15, 1942 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Alois and Margaret (Spanier) Heinen. Joe graduated from Sauk Centre High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force. When he returned from the service he married Ruth Hoffman at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Sauk Centre on April 24, 1965. Joe worked as a bookkeeper for Pierson Ford and then as a letter carrier with the United States Postal Service. He sold insurance for New York Life and American Family Insurance. He also worked as the city clerk/administrator for the City of Sauk Centre retiring in 2000. He then went on to work as the Freeport city clerk for one year. Joe loved working, even in his "retirement" he owned and operated a tree farm in Verndale. He also enjoyed refereeing for baseball, softball, and football games; hunting, fishing, bird watching, gardening, and farming with his John Deere. Joe also loved baking desserts almost as much as he liked eating them.

Joe was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church and the Sauk Centre Rotary Club. He was a former member of the Jaycees, served as State Vice President and was the recipient of the JCI Senator award. He retired from the Sauk Centre Fire Department after 26 years of service and was a former member of the Sauk Centre City Council. He was a member of the American Legion Post 67, where he served as commander, adjutant, and financial officer. He was a member and served as treasurer for both Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever. He served as State Fire Warden for 15 years.

Joe is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ruth Heinen of Sauk Centre; sons, Jeffrey (Stacey) Heinen of Elko and Kevin Heinen of Sartell; son-in-law, Jason Bartels of Maple Grove; grandchildren, Andrew Bartels, Michael Bartels, Ashley Heinen, Tanner Heinen, and Isabelle Heinen; and brothers and sisters, David (Teri) Heinen of Prior Lake, Robert (Kandy) Heinen of Lafayette, California, Bernice (James) Blacksher of Burnsville, Maggie Heinen of Burnsville, and Larry (Barb) Heinen of Spicer.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Margaret Heinen; and daughter, Kim Bartels on February 16, 2006.

Serving as casket bearers will be Paul Walz, Pat Meyer, Andrew Bartels, Michael Bartels, Tanner Heinen, and David Heinen, Jr. Cross bearer will be Isabelle Heinen and scripture bearer will be Ashley Heinen. Serving as honorary bearers will be the Sauk Centre Rotary Club.