Daniel Luther Heiden

Dr. Daniel Luther Heiden, age 82, of Minneapolis, Minnesota passed away on July 22, 2022, after a 5 ½ year battle with bone marrow cancer. He was born in Rushford, Minnesota to Robert and Irene (Feine) Heiden on January 11, 1940. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at Hart, Minnesota. He graduated from Rushford High School in 1958, having been on the National Honor Society and representing Rushford at Boys State.
He was married to Ruby Delores Jahr on August 16, 1958. They had been high school sweethearts, were homecoming king and queen their senior year, and both had received the Good Citizenship Awards for the senior class. He found enjoyment in participating in sports, especially football (being a co-captain his senior year) and track where he broke several records. While growing up, he worked with his Dad on the farm feeding cattle and doing field work.
Following graduation, Dan attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. He had three years of Mechanical Engineering, changing his major to Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1967. While in college, he worked several part-time jobs, and participated in a work-study program with the Maytag Co. They lived in a trailer those years and daughter Renee was born in 1970.
After receiving his DVM degree in 1967, he worked in veterinary practices in Sioux Falls, SD (daughter Laura was born there) and Omaha, NE where twin boys, Michael and Mark, were born. They then moved back to the farm for one year and helped his father. After that, the final move was to Minneapolis where they eventually opened the Boulevard Animal Hospital. The Hospital was a family affair, and all helped out; family vacations during those years were many camping trips around the Midwest. The veterinary clinic was closed in 1985 because of Interstate 394 being built through their property. Dan then worked for various clinics throughout the Metro area. He loved learning; in the 1990's, he attended Luther Seminary in Minneapolis.
Dan was a strong supporter of missions and at Christmas, 1985, he served as a relief veterinarian in Haiti. He and Ruby then led a mission trip of 12 people to that same area in 1987. They then traveled on several mission trips to Mexico, Ecuador, and Tanzania. He was a Boy Scout leader, a confirmation teacher, and served as counselor on teen mission trips.
Dan loved to travel with his wife; they visited over 52 countries around the world. Grandchildren and then Great Grandchildren were a big part of his life. He could make them laugh and taught them lots of crazy things like funny songs "Mares Eats Oats, I Love You a Bushel and a Peck, Be Bop a Lou, Lou She's My Baby, and You Are My Sunshine.
Dan had so many interests, it was difficult to keep up with them all: aeronautical engineering, mechanical engineering, science, math, veterinary medicine, religious studies, missions, farming, Boy Scouts, and environmental issues. He had a room full of books and papers; the family called it "The Knowledge Room."
Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Ruby, of 63+ years; four children Renee (Ronald) Leasure of Crystal, MN; Laura (Edwin) Aguilar of Ellicott City, MD; Michael (Lisl) of Medway, MAs; and Mark (Jodi) of Plymouth, MN; 12 Grandchildren Justin, Thea (John Easely), Ryan, Andrea (Miles Livingston), Allyson, Adam, Andrew, Anna, Eddie, Angela, Sophie, and Elle; 5 Great Grandchildren Luca, Mateo, Ellie, Ethan, and Mason. His mother, Irene, is 103 years old, living in Rushford, and two siblings Twilah (Gaylord) Brown of Lanesboro, MN and Bonnie Winn of Champaign, IL He is preceded in death by his father, Robert, and a brother-in-law, Gregory Winn.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 22, at 11:00 a.m. at the Washburn-McReavy Glen Haven Chapel, 5125 West Broadway, Crystal. Visitation one hour prior. Livestream can be accessed from Dan's page on www.washburn-mcreavy.com
He donated his body to the University of Minnesota Medical School. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be donated to: Global Health Ministries, Mazahua Valley Ministries, or the World Mission Prayer League.