Mervin Eugene Heitschmidt, age 72, went to be with the Lord Saturday, May 10, 2014; after a 2.5 year courageous battle with stomach cancer.
He was born March 22, 1942 in the family farmhouse in Holyrood, KS to Alfred and Alyce (LaOrange) Heitschmidt. He was welcomed by his older brother Larry. He accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 8. He grew up on the farm and attended Holyrood School through his sophomore year. In 1957 the family moved to Cass Lake, MN where they purchased Birch Villa Resort. He attended and graduated from Cass Lake High School in 1960. He earned his B.A. Degree in English from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS in 1966. His first teaching job was in Scott City, KS where he met the physical education teacher, Miss Janice Smith. They were married April 8, 1967. In 1968 Merv and Jan moved to Braham, MN where he continued his teaching/coaching career. Two children were born and raised in Braham, Cristi Jo and Chad Alan. Summers were spent at Cass Lake where Merv worked as a fishing guide. In 1979, Merv took a leave of absence from teaching and purchased a bait shop in Hayward, WI. After three years the family returned to Braham and Merv resumed his teaching and coaching career until his retirement in 2002.
Merv was an active member of the Braham Covenant Church. He served in various leadership roles and also enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching confirmation and leading Bible studies.
He was a kind, thoughtful, positive, loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a great mentor and a fabulous role model to many. He had a good sense of humor, was a practical-joker, a wonderful story teller, an avid sportsman, wrote a book titled Netting Reel Memories about his experiences at Cass Lake, and enjoyed teaching rod building for many years.
Traveling and experiencing new places was a strong desire of his. From family vacations across the US to travels later in life around the world, Merv immersed himself into the culture and made connections with many people along the way.
He was preceded in death by his parents Alyce and Alfred.
Merv is survived by his wife Jan; daughter Cristi (Joel Komschlies) and grandson Keaton Komschlies of Olympia, WA; son Chad of Princeton, MN; grandson Colton (Alli) of Zimmerman, MN; grandaughter Ashley (fiance Logan Hershey) of Princeton, MN; brother Larry (Juanita) of Isle, MN and many nieces, nephews and great nieces/nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at the Braham Ev. Covenant Church with Rev. Steve Jennisch officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 at the church. Music will be provided by Sharon Hohn, Sara King and Marie Grundberg. Casket Bearers are Bill Coleman, Paul Sanborn, Ron Lykins, John Singh, Dave DeVito and Wes Erbstoesser. Interment will be in the Braham Mission Covenant Cemetery.
Arrangements are by the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham. www.aifuneralhome.com