Ronald E. “Ron” Heinen, 72, passed away peacefully Sept. 13, 2024, at his home in Melrose.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose with the Rev. Marvin Enneking and the 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 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and 10-11 a.m. Sept. 19 at the church.
Ronald Elmer Heinen was born Aug. 23, 1952, in Belgrade, Minnesota, to John and Esther (Winter) Heinen. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1970 and 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 20 that usually ended with laughter. In 2017, Ron retired from Melrose Implement Inc. 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, and 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 and 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.
Arrangements were made by the Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
