Joyce Dellene Heinis

Joyce Heinis, 89, of Russell, Minnesota, died peacefully and surrounded by family on Monday, March 30, 2026, at the Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center in Marshall, Minnesota. A Memorial Gathering of family and friends will be Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. Private interment will be held at the Russell Cemetery.

Joyce Dellene Pochardt was born to Ralph and Agnes (Matthews) Pochardt on November 20, 1936, in Coon Creek Township. Joyce was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Island Lake Township. Her family moved to Minneapolis where she attended Seward Elementary School. After a couple of years, the family returned to the Russell area, and Joyce attended the Matthews Country School near Goose Lake. She went from the City with electricity, street cars, ice cream shops, and indoor plumbing to a farm on the county line with none of those conveniences; but she had horses. Joyce graduated from Russell Public School in 1954, continued her education at South Dakota State University, and later attended nursing school in Anoka County. After a year at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, she moved back to the Russell area and started working at Farmers State Bank.

On June 26, 1958, Joyce was united in marriage to Eugene "Gene" Heinis at St. Dionysus Catholic Church in Tyler. The couple farmed with Gene’s dad and lived in a tiny house on the farmstead. In 1959 they purchased the land to the north where they moved in the fall of 1960. Joyce would spend the next 65 years on the land where she raised her family and built a successful farming business with her husband. During her retirement years, she worked at Bud Rose Floral, Shopko, and later Walmart where you could find her in the holiday and garden departments.

She was a longtime member of St. Dionysus Catholic Church where she volunteered and served on various committees. After Gene retired, they joined Holy Redeemer in Marshall and were members there until her death.

Joyce was active with the Russell Historical Society, Ruthton Bowling leagues, various card clubs, and was a founding member of the Russell Yacht Club where she and friends would go "sale-ing" at local estate sales. Many of the local auctioneers knew her well for her attendance and purchasing prowess. Joyce also served as a Cub Scout leader. Her other enjoyments in life included gardening, Christmas, watching birds, horses, and attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Joyce was her family’s biggest and most vocal fan at all of their many activities.

Joyce reached the age of 89 years, four months, and ten days. She lived until her last hours on the farm she loved, accepting every visitor who turned into her driveway. Joyce made everyone feel at home and loved. She would put you to work without question, then feed you and ask you to stay. Joyce taught her family hard work, humility, unceasing love, and perfecting dry humor. She cared for her indoor and outdoor animals as lovingly as family, and she took great pride in her gardens and grounds. Joyce was a supportive and loving mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Joyce improved the lives of everyone she met. Blessed and eternal be her memory.

She is survived by her seven children, Mark Heinis (Darla Anderson) of Russell, Brian (Mary) Heinis of Saint Anthony Village, Lisa Heinis of Russell, Jolene (Larry) Labat of Marshall, Darin (Carol Ann) Heinis of Los Angeles, CA, Daryl (Jackie) Heinis of Vergas, Patrick (Emily) Heinis of Mankato; 17 grandchildren, Erin (Dustin) Beam, Chad (Reina Cisneros) Heinis, Adam (Luna Bloom) Heinis, Neisha Heinis, Cortney (Cory Hooten) Heinis, Jacalyn (Nick) Hustings, Derek Heinis, Radley Heinis, Shane (Chelsea) Heinis, Justine Heinis, Jordan Labat, Brandon Labat, Kacy (Alex) Behrns, Olivia Heinis, Nathan Heinis, Allen (Tara) Koosmann, Denny (Samantha) Koosmann; 27 great-grandchildren, Corte, Emmalynn, Wren, Blue, Elio, Nora, Alexis, Kailey, Wyatt, Ariannah, Sutton, Jaeda, Ehver, Kirstin, Jaxon, Kora, Bastian, Lainzley, Brooklyn, Lincoln, Logan, Jack, Cooper, Will, Alex, Luke, Marshall, and another on the way; nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Eugene "Gene" Heinis; parents, Ralph "Swede" & Agnes Pochardt; parents-in-law, Lawrence "L. J." & Susan Heinis; brother, Keith Pochardt; fourteen brothers- and sisters-in-law; and a son-in-law, Kris Lastine.