Thomas Heinert, 79

Thomas “Tom” Heinert, age 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Stewartville, MN of natural causes March 15, 2024. Thomas John Heinert was born in Valentine August 16,1944, to John and Flora (Kaiser) Heinert. He grew up on the family farm near Parmelee, SD and as a child, enjoyed riding his horse Scout, helping on the farm and socializing with friends from church.

He attended Todd County HS graduating in 1962. While at TCHS he lived in the high school dorms, played football, ran track and played baseball during the summer months. During that time, he also met his future bride, Darlene Peed.

The two were married February 16, 1962, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norris, SD. They were blessed with three daughters and two sons and were married for 53 years until Darlene passed away in 2015.

Tom was a hard worker and was involved in farming in some way for most of his life. He maintained a dairy farm for a period and raised beef cattle alongside his primary crop of wheat for many years. At one point he purchased an 18-wheel truck and trailer and hauled grain from local fields to grain elevators across the Midwest. In 1991, he moved his family to Valentine, and took over the running of a local implement sales and service business. His natural ability to fix things and his knowledge of farm equipment served him well.

He became an agricultural mechanic, and eventually went to work for Assman Implement in Mission, SD. He worked there until he retired in 2016 and then moved to Stewartville, MN to be near family.

Tom’s faith in our Lord was strong. He was active in church and served as an elder. When he was no longer able to attend church, he would read his Bible and do nightly devotions. He instilled his love of God and that same faith in his children.

Tom enjoyed hunting deer and pheasants and often hosted hunting parties on the family farm. He took up ice fishing for a time, even though he didn’t eat fish, and enjoyed snowmobiling with neighbors and friends.

He loved to dance, and many weekends, in his younger years, would find him and Darlene out jitterbugging or square dancing. He was ever the comedian and the life of any party!

In his later years, Tom took up woodworking and revealed another talent by creating beautiful gifts of wood for family members and friends. Always the tinkerer, he liked taking things apart and fixing them, or even just to see how they worked. Most recently, he found pleasure in riding his mobility scooter around town and just enjoyed being outside.

He loved attending his grandchildren’s sporting and school events, watching sports on TV, and attending band concerts at the local park.

He enjoyed looking at pictures, re-posting funny or inspiring messages, and keeping up with people’s lives on social media, but preferred a good long chat on the phone or a visit from family and friends. Most of all he loved his kids, his grandkids, and God. He was ever our Lord’s faithful servant!

Tom is survived by his daughter, LeAnn (Matt) Schubauer of Rio Vista, TX and their children, DeAnn (Joseph) Saenz and Cassie (Dustin) Christensen; daughter, Melinda (Jim) Otto of Stewartville, MN and their children, Hannah, Nick, Emilee, and Olivia Otto; son, John (Rosie) Heinert of Spearfish, SD and their children, Thomas and Ryan Heinert; son, Dean Heinert of Pittsburg, TX and his children, Becca and Dean Heinert; son-inlaw, Vance Walkling of Fremont, and his children, Brandi Bennett and Branden (Mallory) Walkling; his sister, Helen (Larry) Howe of Bradenton, FL and brother, Jim (Irene) Heinert of Sturgis, SD; nine great-grandchildren Samantha, Makaela, Isaiah, Elizabeth, Isaac, Ezekiel, Christopher, Brantley and Benjamin.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene; his daughter, Sheri Walkling; his parents, John and Flora Heinert, and his sister, Shirley Bahr.

The funeral service for Tom was Saturday, March 23, 2024 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Norris, SD with Rev. Gregory Hinners and Pastor Andrew Utecht officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery. Arrangements were with Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine.