Jerry Heyen

Jerry G. Heyen, 80, life long resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, October 15, 2011, at Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls of complications from leukemia. Jerry shared with us the love of family and friends, knew respect from many, and enjoyed life. He was very much loved and appreciated and will always be remembered by the people he knew. Jerry was born on March 3, 1931, in Fergus Falls, as the second child to Edward and Luella (Miller) Heyen. He grew up and attended school in Fergus Falls, graduating from Fergus Falls High School in 1949. Following high school he attended one year of college at the University of Minnesota. In 1951 he joined the Army and was stationed at Camp Rucker in Alabama. On November 14, 1953, Jerry married Jessie A. Rix at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. They made their home and raised their three children, Jeffrey, John, and Jann, in Fergus Falls. He began his work career at Pennsylvania Tire Company as a Territory Manager for 23 years. He spent 21 years in the farm irrigation business, traveling five states and two Canadian provinces as Territory Manager for Reinke Manufacturing. After retiring in 1996, Jerry attended trade shows for Reinke and traveled to Africa and Australia as an irrigation consultant while staying close to his friends at work. He also worked part time for Otter Tail County for several years. Jerry was a member of the UCT (United Commercial Travelers) for 53 years, the Elks for 52 years, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. His hobbies included bowling, woodworking and spending time at their cabin on Ottertail Lake. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and neighbors. Jerry is survived by his wife, Jessie; his children, Jeffrey and Susan (Schultz) Heyen of Eden Prairie, MN, and their daughters, Taylor and Mallory; John and Sheila (Ring) Heyen of White Bear Lake, MN, and their children, Benjamin, Jason, Kelsey, Christopher, Lydia and Hadassah; and Jann Heyen and Michael Werb of Apple Valley, MN, and their family, Joseph, Shannon, Meg and Alexa (great-granddaughter); his brother and sister-in-law, Morris and Catherine (Ebersviller) Heyen of Spring Lake Park, MN; and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward, in 1989, and his mother, Luella, in 2005. Jerry was very grateful to Jessie, his wife of 58 years, for all the love and wonderful care she gave him over the years, and especially the last 10 months. He was very proud of his three children and their families. The family would like to thank the special staff at the Lakeland Hospice House and Lake Region Healthcare Center for the care they provided Jerry and his family. Visitation: Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, one hour prior to the service. Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls. Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls. Burial: Private family interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls. Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospice, Lake Region Cancer Care & Research Center, and Bethlehem Church.