Richard Heying

Richard Heying age 82 of Ossian, IA, passed away on September 28, 2024, in Ossian, IA, at his home and surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, Iowa, with Rev. Henry Huber officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at the Festina Community Center. There will be no visitation prior to the service on Wednesday. Rich was born on March 11, 1942 to Peter and Agnes (Bohr) Heying in Decorah, IA. He was the ninth child of 12. He was born, baptized, and confirmed and a lifetime member of Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Festina, IA. Rich graduated from St. Francis De Sales Catholic High School, after which he served his country in the Army from 1964 to 1966. Following his military service, he had a long career at John Deere, where he worked for 31 years and farmed the Heying Family farm from 1974 to 2018. In 2022, the Heying farm was awarded as a Century Farm with over 100 years representing the Heying Family. Rich met and married Linda in 1968 and married for 56 years. Together they raised their four children on the family farm. As a prelude to buying the farm, he purchased his first new tractor in 1972, his pride and joy, the John Deere 4000, which is still an active part of the family farm 52 years later. He was a dedicated father that instilled strong work ethics, family values and commitment to family and friends. He loved to squirrel hunt (more bullets than squirrels), fishing at Grandpa Lukes' pond, playing cards – especially 500, go bowling, Sunday family days, having a cigarette, golfing, trips to many casinos (asking Linda for more $$), visiting his kids and grandkids, driving on the gator, farming the land, and enjoying sitting and relaxing outside on the patio. While he may not be here in body, he will always be with us in spirit and doing all the things he loved most. Rich was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Agnes, father and mother-in-law, Dan and Helen Lukes, siblings; Hugo and Lucille Heying, Ruth and Ray Langreck, Irvin and Marion Heying, Kay and Stan Humpal, Elsie and Donald Timp, Roselyn and Gene Bodensteiner, Cleo Heying, Larry Heying, Joyce and Dick Shindelar and many other nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Linda (Lukes) of 56 years, daughter Gwen Seeley (Catskill, NY), daughter Dawn and son-in-law, Dan Moe (Chanhassen, MN), son, Chad (Calmar, IA), and daughter Gina Cook (Burnsville, MN). Grandchildren, Bella and Lili Seeley, Carson and Avery Moe, and Elise Cook (David Churchill) and Sam Cook, and his faithful feline friends, Charlie and Whitey. In addition, his siblings, sister Marcy and Larry Havel, and brother Donald and Carolyn Heying; in laws, Larry Lukes, Vic Lukes, Lana Lukes, Elaine Heying, Emily Heying, and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.