Ronald "Ron" Heinen

Ronald E. “Ron” Heinen, age 72, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 13, 2024 at his home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 19 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking and Rev. Vincent Lieser officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Lake Henry American Legion Honor Guard and the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church. 

Ronald Elmer Heinen was born on August 23, 1952, in Belgrade, Minnesota to John and Esther (Winter) Heinen. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1970 and then went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army. On June 21, 1980 he married the love of his life, Karen Spaeth. They raised two beautiful and fun-loving daughters, Kim and Carrie. Together they owned and operated the Water Hole Bar in Spring Hill for several years where he shared a story or twenty that usually ended with laughter. In 2017, Ron retired from the Melrose Implement. Following retirement, he spent his time with his grandchildren which he loved most. He also enjoyed golfing, gardening, reading, deer hunting and making people laugh! He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he served on the church council, Lake Henry American Legion Post 612, Melrose American Legion Post 101, and one last laugh, a member of Costco 😊.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Heinen of Melrose; daughters, Kimberly (Bill) Fuechtmann of Hastings and Carrie (Steve) Schulzetenberg of New Munich; grandchildren, Kira and Ruby Fuechtmann, JP, Rikki, Vayda, and Pearl Schulzetenberg; and brothers and sister, Jim (Patty) Heinen, Ralph Heinen, Mary Jane Heinen, Al Heinen, Vern (Cindy) Heinen, Mark (Chris) Heinen, and John (Barb) Heinen.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws: Ginny Heinen, Charles Jackson, Dorie Heinen; and father and mother-in-law, Leroy and Donna Spaeth.

In lieu of flowers, a donation will be made in Ron’s honor.