James Heine

James H. “Jim” Heine, 87, of Clear Lake, died Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa, in Mason City, surrounded by his loving family. 

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at the First Congregational Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. Brad Thornton officiating.  Committal services followed in the Clear Lake Cemetery where military honors were provided by members of the Clear Lake V.F.W.  Should friends desire, memorials may be left in Jim’s name in care of his family, or to the First Congregational Church of Clear Lake.

James Henry Heine, son of Earl Heine and Doris Nelson Heine, was born in Mankato, Minn., on Feb. 18, 1926.  Jim grew up in Grundy Center, Iowa, and graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1944. He enlisted in the Army in December of 1943 and entered active duty in July of 1944.  Afterwards Jim returned to Grundy Center where he began school at Iowa State Teachers’ College in Cedar Falls, but soon joined his dad in the implement business. On Aug. 30, 1947, Jim married Virley Ann Eilers in Grundy Center. They moved to Conrad, Iowa, where Jim managed Heine Implement, and they began raising their family. Later, Jim was a manufacturers’ sales representative for various farm implement companies and traveled across Iowa. He always had a good story and a big smile, and despite his trepidation when he first went on the road, he was a natural and made many friends across Iowa, as well as a good living.  Jim and Virley worked hard, were active in the community, and had many friends, as did their children. The house was always full and loud. 

In 1967 Jim and Virley took a trip to Clear Lake to find a place to rent for the summer, and came home having bought a house on the lake. The family moved to Clear Lake and happily called it home. Jim and Virley loved entertaining their old friends from Conrad and new friends from Clear Lake.  There was never a dull moment.

Virley died in 1999 and Jim and the family were devastated. But later Jim was blessed to meet and marry Connie Clapsaddle of Mason City on Nov. 8, 2004. Jim not only loved Connie, but was crazy about her children and grandchildren. She brought energy into his life again and they enjoyed some travel, dinner with the Halford’s, Thorson’s, and others at the Half Moon, and entertaining. Connie’s patience was immense as she learned to watch sports on TV and not visit during important putts. Connie has been a steady hand and committed caretaker to Jim the last years of his life.

Jim most enjoyed showing pictures and telling stories about his 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was an avid golfer and was proud of having shot 32 twice at the All Vets Golf Course in Clear Lake. He hated losing a quarter at the golf course more than losing $100 at the casino. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, and he and Virley could be found at nearly every home game on fall Saturdays in Iowa City, tailgating with the Halfords and others, no matter what the weather or the success of the team. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, watching basketball at the OP and most particularly coffee with his friends every morning at 9 a.m., most recently at the Backyard Deli on Main Street. We would like to thank the coffee group for their friendship, kindness, and support throughout the years. 

Jim was a member in good standing of the Clear Lake Hearing Impaired Coffee Club, the First Congregational Church of Clear Lake, the I-Club, the American Legion, and was a past member of All Vets Golf Course of Clear Lake.  He served in leadership positions of several organizations and could certainly always be counted on for a strong opinion. 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Jon Heine; his first wife, Virley; and his step-children, David and Steven Clapsaddle. 

He is survived by his wife, Connie Clapsaddle Heine, of Clear Lake; his children, Susan (Willard) Olesen of Greenfield, Jeffrey (Debbie) Heine of Clear Lake, Sally (Davee) Olson of Minneapolis, Minn.,  and Jennifer (Ed) Mikkelsen of Mason City;  stepchildren, Colonel James (Andra) Clapsaddle,  currently serving with the United States Air Force in Qatar, Kathleen (Ward) Isaacson of Minneapolis, and Jeanne (Larry) Jannson of Cedar Falls, Iowa;  grandchildren, Andrew (Janet) Olesen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Kathryn Olesen Wharton of Johnston, Iowa,  Alyssa Heine (Nathan) Groom of Urbana, Iowa, Erinn Heine of Cedar Falls, Nick (Krista) Olson, Sara Olson, and Lindsay Olson of Minneapolis,  Carter and Maddie Niedermayer of Mason City; step-grandchildren, Lee Goll of Ankeny, Iowa, and Charlie Clapsaddle of Texarcana, Texas,  Nolan and Dillon Isaacson of Minneapolis, and Samantha Clapsaddle of Cedar Falls;  and great-grandchildren, Joseph and Jack Olesen of Cedar Rapids,  Abigail and Eleanor Wharton of Johnston, and Eleanor and Henry Groom of Urbana;  and step-grandchildren, Sarah and Riley Goll of Ankeny and Carson Clapsaddle of Texarkana. Jim is also survived by Jake, his cat.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.