Kenneth Joseph Heiling, age 84 of rural Redwood Falls, passed away suddenly Thursday, October 11, 2018 at Garnette Gardens in Redwood Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:30 p.m. Monday, October 15 at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Wabasso. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at Redwood Valley Funeral Home with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in the St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Kenneth Joseph Heiling was born February 27, 1934 to Hugo and Mary (Walter) Heiling in Morgan, Minnesota. He received the sacraments in the Catholic faith. Ken graduated from Wabasso High School in 1952. He served in the US Army and worked as a mechanic and as a military police officer. Ken also did several jumps as a paratrooper. After he received his honorable discharge, he returned to the family farm near Redwood. On June 14, 1958, Ken married Shirley Gores at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Ken farmed with his dad and later with his son, grandsons and great grandsons. He recently lived at Garnette Gardens. Ken was a long time member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church and was very active in the community. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and working in his shop, where he could fix anything. Ken loved working on the farm and spending time with his family.
Ken is survived by his children: Steve (Janet) Heiling of rural Redwood Falls, Kathy (Joe) Jenniges of Vergas, Barb (Ron) Hoffman of Wabasso, and Colleen (David) Slough of Plymouth; grandchildren: Dustin Heiling, Mitch (Michelle) Heiling, Danny (Joanna) Jenniges, Alyssa (Parker) Berent, Alexandra, Emily & Amanda Hoffman, and Katie & Matt Slough; great grandchildren: Kensley, Paysen & Laiken Heiling; siblings: Paul Heiling, and Eugene (Sharon) Heiling, Dolly (Bob) Bell, Mary Ann Johanneck, Gerald (Marlene), Gary (Sharon), Mike (Valerie), and Mark (Terrie) Heiling; sister-in-law: Luella Heiling; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley, grandson Johnny Slough and brother Hugo Jr.
Iam so very sorry for the loss of Kenny, he was such a nice man and my Dad, Leonard Ellers best friend. My Dad will really miss having him across the hall from him and enjoying there meals together and slicing cucumbers. He was also so very nice to me, I enjoyed visiting with him.
Heiling family, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that Brian and I are thinking of you. Prayers and hugs!
Sympathy to the family!!!
We are so very sad that Ken will no longer be with us, but blessed that we had a chance to be together in the recent past. We know with certainty that he will now be going straight to heaven to be with Shirley and all other loved ones. Our hearts and prayers go out to Ken’s kids, grandkids and great grandkids because we know that you are all just heart broken and saddened at this time. Ken will be tremendously missed for his great character, kindness and one-of-a-kind jolly demeanor. So many lessons he taught us all from the days back on the home farm; from his hard work ethic to his natural engineering abilities… give him a torch, welder, grinder and some tools and there was not much he couldn’t fix, and if there was it went into the grove to be used as parts for the next repair!
Thanks brother Ken for all you taught me and helped me out with, growing up out on the farm!
Love, Mark and Terrie Heiling
Steve, Janet and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs.
Sorry for the loss of Ken. Every trip to Minnesota we always visited the Heilings and enjoyed Ken discussing the in and outs of farming. He was very interesting and informative. About six weeks ago we spent three quality days with Ken and enjoyed every minute of it. He will be missed.
Sorry for your loss sending our prayers and thoughts.
We always loved to spend time with Ken and Shirley whenever we visited the farm. We are so sorry for your (and our) loss. We have many wonderful memories- Mike when he was growing up and learning from the”Master Fixer” and later both of us, whenever we returned to Wabasso. We treasure the memories.
So sorry for your loss. Keeping your family in our thoughts and prayers.