Date of Birth:
Friday, May 13, 1932
Date of Death:
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Age:
89 years old

Marvin Walter Heins

Marvin Walter Heins, 89, of Rochester, MN, died Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Methodist Hospital. He was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior by his father, Walter Heins, his mother, Mabel Palmerlee Heins, his sister,  Audrey Jensen, and his brother, Kendall Heins who preceded him in death.

He was born on May 13, 1932, in Rochester and graduated from Rochester High School in 1950. As a youth he was a Boy Scout and enjoyed camping and fishing with his parents. Having been born on Friday the 13th during the middle of the great depression, Marvin learned at a young age how to work hard, help with chores and make due when necessary.

After high school, he graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, MN in 1954. While there he met the lovely Barbara Anne Phillips, a nursing student at Northwestern College of Nursing. They were married on April 16th, 1955.

After college Marvin joined his brother, Kendall, and father, Walter in the Heins Insurance Agency. He worked there until he retired in 1997.  In 1955 he took leave from the agency to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (He got married on a 3 day pass.)

In addition to the love of his life and wife of 66 years, Marvin is survived by six children: Mary Lou Mikelsons of Renton, WA (Ralfs), Paula Marie Breid of Oronoco, MN (Ronald), Scott Phillips Heins of Lake Elmo, MN (Kristine), Elizabeth Anne Schillinger of Wisconsin Rapids, WI (Robert), Patricia Joanne Myranof Zumbrota, MN (Scott), and Carl Phillips Heins of Santa Rosa Beach, FL.

Marvin also was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Marvin and Barbara were faithful attenders of the many and varied events in which their kids and grandkids participated: many hours were logged watching band and choir concerts, hockey, football, baseball, lacrosse, and soccer games. When one of them were in a play, they had tickets and cheered! They also made every effort to go to every conceivable graduation ceremony.

In 1961, Marvin and Barbara became one of the founding families of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. He served in many capacities through the decades of faithful attendance. He was an usher, member of the finance/stewardship committee, Dioceses Committee, volunteer on Kids Night Out and Bible studies. But no other church related activity made a greater impact on his life (and that of others) than his over 40 years of singing tenor in the church choir. He loved to sing and he passed this love of music down to all who have survived him!

For 23 years, Marvin was referred to as “coach” Heins. He coached 4th and 5th grade baseball mentoring and encouraging hundreds of future prospects from the 1970’s into the 1990’s. He served as the President of the Rochester Youth Baseball Association as well. Finally, when he was retired from the insurance business, he “worked” as a crossing guard at Folwell elementary school (where he had been PTA president) for 17 years. He loved caring for the kids as they came and went from school like they were his extended family. He is and will be missed!

The funeral service will take place on June 1, 2021 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: 1884 22nd St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901 at 11am with Rev. Just Chapman officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion Post #92, and interment will be at the St. Luke’s Columbarium. A light lunch will follow the interment at the church.

Memorials are preferred to St Luke’s Episcopal Church.