Gary John Heineman

Gary John Heineman, 84, of Sloan, Iowa, passed away Monday, November 6, 2023, at his home surrounded by family.

A funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, November 10, 2023, at the Skien Lutheran Church, Albaton, Iowa, with Pastor Craig Bock, officiating. A recording of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Gary’s obituary. Burial will follow at the Fairview Township Cemetery, Albaton, Iowa. A visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday, November 9, 2023, with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Skien Lutheran Church, Albaton, Iowa. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Gary John was born January 8, 1939, in Pender, Nebraska, the son of Harvey and Helen (Vosteen) Heineman. He attended District Number 2 Frog Pond Country School in Thurston County, Nebraska, where he attended first through the eighth grade.  He was confirmed at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on May 24, 1953 by Pastor Walter Rowdelt. Gary then attended Pender High School where he graduated with the class of 1956. Gary furthered his education by attending the University of Nebraska receiving his bachelor’s degree in education in 1961. After graduation he served in the Marine Corps Reserve and was honorably discharged July 22, 1967. Gary received his master’s degree from Iowa State University in 1970.

Gary and Mary Hagen were united in marriage on September 25, 1965, in Tripoli, Iowa. To this union they had three children, Nancy, Susan, and Joel.

Gary worked for many different school districts and was a Vocational Agriculture teacher and a FFA Advisor for many years. He started at East Monona Community School, Moorhead, Iowa, from 1961- 1963. Then taught for Tripoli High School, Tripoli, Iowa, from 1963 – 1965, then LDF High School, Le Grand, Iowa, from 1966-1975, and last was Westwood Community School, Sloan, Iowa 1976 – 2000, where he retired.

Gary loved to spend time with his family. Gary and Mary enjoyed their Friday’s dancing at the senior center. He enjoyed native plants, gardening, foresting, traveling, playing cards, and was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan. Gary loved being on the farm, he raised sheep and attended to his bees.

He was a dedicated and very active member of the Skien Lutheran Church. He was also an active member with the Loess Hills Audubon Society.

Survivors include his wife, Mary J Heineman of Sloan, Iowa; children, Nancy Heineman of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Susan (Eric) Rose of Urbandale, Iowa, and Joel (Tracy) Heineman, South Sioux City, Nebraska; grandchildren, Adam Rose, Ethan Rose, Broc Heineman, and Brooklyn Heineman; siblings, Don Harvey (Rae) Heineman of Pender, Nebraska, and Leann (Dennis) Jeppson of Wahoo, Nebraska; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Helen (Vosteen) Heineman; sister, Karen Kay Heineman; maternal-grandparents, Dick and Mary (Vogt) Vosteen; paternal- grandparents, John and Johanna (Otteman) Heineman; niece, Marsha (Heineman) Hanly; and sister-in-law, Sharon Heineman.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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