Eugene "Gene" Lawrence Heinis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Eugene “Gene” Heinis, age 86 of rural Russell, passed away at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center on Friday, June 13, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10: 30 AM, Thursday, June 19th at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Visitation will be 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Wednesday, with a 7:00 PM Prayer service followed by a Rosary service at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Russell City Cemetery. Eugene “Gene” Lawrence Heinis was born on January 26, 1928 to Lawrence “L.J.” John and Susan (Nothem) Heinis in Lyon County, Minnesota. His family farmed in Lynd Township where he attended country school for 8 years. His freshman year was at Lynd High School. The family moved to a farm near Russell in 1942. Gene graduated valedictorian from Russell High School in 1945. On June 26, 1958, Gene was united in marriage to Joyce Pochardt at St. Dionysius Catholic Church in Tyler. To this union seven children were born, namely; Mark, Brian, Lisa, Jolene, Darin, Daryl and Patrick. They made their home in Coon Creek Township where Gene and his family farmed. In his last few years of farming, Gene was a custodian for Russell-Tyler-Ruthton Middle School until he retired in 1997. He was on the Board of Directors for the Federal Land Bank , Russell School Board, and was instrumental in starting the St. Dionysius Church chapter of the Knights of Columbus, of which he was a member for 58 years. The love of his life was his family, especially his grandchildren. His enjoyments included laughing and joking around with family, sharing stories over morning coffee with his closest friends, bird watching, water skiing, traveling, camping, playing cards, bowling, gardening, and was mister fix-it when it came to welding and engineering different projects. He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce of Russell; children, Mark Heinis of Big Spring, TX, Brian (Mary) Heinis of St. Anthony, Lisa Heinis (Kris Lastine) of St. James, Jolene (Larry) Labat of Marshall, Darin (Carol Ann) Heinis of Los Angeles, CA, Daryl (Jackie) Heinis of Lakeville, and Patrick (Emily) Heinis of Rosemount; grandchildren, Erin (Dustin) Beam, Chad, Adam, Neisha, and Cortney Heinis, Jacalyn and Derek Heinis, Radley (Kelly), Shane, and Justine Heinis, Jordan and Brandon Labat, Kacy Alfson, Olivia and Nathan Heinis; great grandchildren, Corte Beam and one on the way, Alexis, Kailey, Wyatt, and Arianna Heinis, and Jaeda and Ehver Heinis; sister, Patricia (Ray) Duthoy of Anaheim, CA; sister-in-law, Lois Heinis of Spearfish, SD; and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and special friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Irene Marcotte, Ruth McChesney and Donna VanAltvorst; and brothers, Milo, Leroy "Bob", and Gilbert "Jim". Blessed be the memory of Gene Heinis.

Eugene "Gene" Lawrence Heinis

January 26, 1928 - June 13, 2014

Obituary & Service

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Eugene "Gene" Lawrence Heinis

January 26, 1928 - June 13, 2014

Obituary & Service

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