Francis Mike Heying

Francis “Mike” Heying, age 88, of New Hampton, IA and formerly of Alta Vista, IA died on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton. Francis “Mike” Heying was born on February 14, 1926 to Henry and Elizabeth (Holthaus) Heying near Alta Vista. Mike attended St. Williams Catholic School in Alta Vista. He helped his parents on the farm until his marriage on January 20, 1948 to Arlene Schwickerath at St. Bernard’s Church in Alta Vista. Mike and Arlene moved to Gratiot, WI and farmed in that area for seven years. They moved back to the Alta Vista area and farmed until their retirement in 1988 when they moved into Alta Vista. Mike worked part time for the Tolliver Farm Supply until they closed. He then worked part time for Elma Equity for several years and also drove for the Mennonites. Mike enjoyed fishing and playing cards. Mike’s greatest joy was being with family especially his grandchildren, great grandchildren and going to his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Bernard’s Church in Alta Vista, Holy Family Church in New Hampton and had been on the Alta Vista City Council. Mike is survived by his wife Arlene of New Hampton; children Roger (Irene) Heying of Harpers Ferry, IA, Shari (Dale) Blocker of Ionia, IA, Larry (Cindy) Heying of New Hampton, Greg (Nancy) Heying of New Hampton, Ken (Luann) Heying of New Hampton, Randy (Jenn) Heying of New Hampton, Don (Jackie) Heying of Pine Island, MN and Michael (Dawn) Heying of New Hampton; 24 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; sisters Gertrude Freidhof of Elma, IA and Alice Freidhof of Waterloo, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Heying; son, Edward; daughter, LuAnn; brothers, Norbert, Linus, Andrew “Dick” and Louis; and sisters, Agnes, Eleanor and Genieva.