Gary W. Heitman, age 62, of Coon Rapids, MN, died surrounded by family and friends at Mercy Hospital on Friday, September 25, 2009, after a long and courageous struggle with COPD. He was born in Baraboo, WI to Howard Heitman and Rosa Mae (Klein) on February 14, 1947.
He married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Rita Ennis on December 20, 1969. They were blessed with three children, Matthew (deceased), Kathryn (Coon Rapids), Rebecca (Maple Grove) and one grandson, Levi.
Gary's enthusiasm for traveling, the arts, boats, cars, and motorcycles was unceasing, even when his illness exhausted him. He enjoyed the big gatherings of both his own family and Ritaâ??s and we were fortunate to enjoy his wit at our most recent family gatherings. He was skilled in carpentry, could fix anything and knew everything about anything. Gary had a distinguished engineering career at Tennessee Valley Authority and Northern States Power. He was active in politics and proudly served as mayor of Ramsey, MN in 1985.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Rita of 40 years, his daughters Kathryn and Rebecca, and grandson Levi. He is also survived by siblings Nancy (Sheldon) Hanson, Norman (Maureen) Heitman, Mark (Ellen) Heitman, Mike (Dawn) Heitman, Jeanie (Kevin) Runde, brother-in-law John Sweeney and many nieces and nephews along with other relatives and friends. Gary is preceded in death by his son Matthew, his parents Howard and Rose, and his sister Carolyn Sweeney.
Visitation is Monday, 4:30-8:00 PM, with 7:00 PM vigil prayers at Thurston-DeShaw Funeral Home,
13817 Jay St. NW, Andover, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday will be held at 11:00 AM, with visitation from 9:00 AM at Saint Ceciliaâ??s Catholic Church, 603 Oak St., Wisconsin Dells, WI. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Minnesota BDSRA (Batten Disease Support and Research Association) http://www.mnbdsra.org/.