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Fredrick Henry Heinssen died October 14, 2017 at Carter Place, Blair, Nebraska at age 79.

Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:30AM at First Lutheran Church in Blair. Graveside services will follow in the Blair Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00PM at Campbell Aman Funeral Home.

He was born on June 29, 1938 to George and Dorothy (Grabbe) Heinssen on the family farm north of Blair. He attened Kindred Country School. In 1956 he graduated from Herman High School. In 1952 he was confirmed into the Lutheran faith at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church at Tekamah.

As a young man Fred enjoyed waterskiing on the Missouri River. He also enjoyed hunting, trapping and fishing.

On June 25, 1958 he married Betty J. Jensen. From the very first time he took Betty home from a basketball game he only had eyes for her, the love of his life. They enjoyed life together for 59 years. After living 53 years on the family farm 7 miles north of Blair, on January 25, 2011, they moved to Blair into a new condo.

Fred was a good father teaching the kids good values for life, playing ball games, running speedy race cars on the living room floor and the safe use of fireworks. He also taught them about new life with little animals on the farm.

Fred’s life occupation was spent as a successful grain farmer, also raising cattle and hogs. He served on the Burt County Co-op Board, including serving as president. He served on the Burt-Washington County Drainage District Board.

Preceding him in death are his parents, step-grandson Jared B. Borsh, sister-in-law Marian McClusky and brother-in-law, Rev. Stanley T. Hansen.

Left to morn him is his wife Betty, two children, Deborah M. Pence and Fredrick H. (Jaqueline) Heinssen Jr. all of Blair. Three grandchildren, Lindsay M. Heinssen, Omaha, Fredrick H. Heinssen lll, and Kenneth D. Pence, Blair, step-granddaughter, Jamie Pierce, Tustin, California. One sister Mary Faith Hansen of Zurick, Illinois. In-laws, Marie Rager, Tekamah; John & Diane Jensen, Herman; Valerie & Terry Peterson, Herman, several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

Memorials may be directed to Herman Volunteer Fire and Rescue, the Washington County Relay For Life or the organization of the donor’s choice.

Heinssen, Fredrick Henry 10/14/2017 Funeral leaflet:

Photo of Mr. Henissen; Photo of the farm

In Loving Memory of Fredrick Henry Heinssen

Born June 29, 1938 Blair, Nebraska; Entered Into Rest October 14, 2017 Blair, Nebraska

Funeral Service 10:30 am Friday, October 20, 2017 First Lutheran Church, Blair, Nebraska.

Officiating: Pastor Scott Frederickson; Organist: Clare Cowing; Musical Selections: “Borning Cry”; “My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less”

Pallbearers: Fredrick Heinssen III, Steve Meinhold, Jeff Shaner, Joel Tyson, Chet Wiese, Rex Allen Babbitt

Honorary Pallbearers: Victor Skinner, Kenneth D. Pence

Graveside Service: Blair Cemetery, Blair, Nebraska

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

Poem, by Nancy Kraayenhof, Adapted

Close the Gate for Dad

For this one farmer the worries are over, lie down and rest your head, Your time has been and struggles enough, put the tractor in the shed. Years were not easy, many downright hard, but your faith in God transcended, Put away your tools and sleep in peace. The fences have all been mended.

You raised a fine family, worked the land well under the hot, summer sun, Hang up your shovel inside of the barn; your work here on earth is done. A faith few possess led your journey through life, often a jagged and stony way, The sun is setting, the crops are harvested, and here now is the end of your day.

Your love of God’s soil has passed on to your kin; the stories flow like good beer, Wash off your work boots in the puddle left by blessed rain one final time. You always believed that the good Lord would provide and He always had somehow, Take off your gloves and put them down, no more sweat and worry for you now.

Your labor is done, your home now is heaven; no more must you wait, Your legacy lives on, your love of the land, and yes Dad—we will close the gate.

An abbreviated obituary was printed in the Oct. 25, 2017 Omaha World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska

~~obituaries and funeral leaflet courtesy of Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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