Michael A. Heinis, 65, Clear Lake

September 7, 1951 - December 8, 2016

Michael A. Heinis, age 65 of Clear Lake passed away at his home after a courageous battle with cancer on Thursday, December 8, 2016. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater. Reverend Steven Timm will officiate. Interment will take place with military honors at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday December 13th and after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday December 14th at Rejoice Lutheran Church in Clearwater. There will be a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Mike was born September 7, 1951 in Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Lloyd and Alice (Hagen) Heinis. He graduated from Henning High School in 1969. Mike attended the Wadena Technical Institute to train as a plumber. From 1974-1979 he proudly served his country in the United States Navy as a Boiler Technician Second Class.

On July 25, 1981 Mike married Deb Schonhardt (the love of his life) at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen, Minnesota. In 2000 they expanded their family by 1 when they adopted their daughter Ashley. It was from Ashley that he learned how to be a "Dad". Ashley also taught Mike that not every trip needed to be "educational". Mike's love of travel and history inspired him to return to college later in life where he graduated with a BA in History.

He was employed as stationary engineer at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-St. Cloud, retiring in 2006. After retirement Mike enjoyed driving for Tri-Cap and volunteering at the St. Cloud Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and for Sherburne County Veteran Service Office where he escorted patients to their appointments and drove veterans from outlying areas to the medical center. His greatest joy was to be of service to others especially veterans. He was a member of the Clear Lake American Legion Post #354 and Rejoice Lutheran Church. He joined numerous mission trips to Children’s Haven International in Reynosa, Mexico. His favorite memories of these trips were playing with the children and the sense of community that was created across cultural lines.

Survivors include his wife, Debra; daughter Ashley of Sauk Rapids; mother, Alice of Henning; brother, Ronald (Ann) of Ottertail; sisters, Patricia (Wayne) Olson of Moose Lake and Jackie (Curt) Erickson of Saginaw as well as many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.

Mike was preceded in death by his father, Lloyd; and sister, Lorelei Lewis.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.