Vance Heifner Bainbridge

1932 - 2025

Vance Heifner Bainbridge

May 4, 1932 - November 6, 2025

Vance Heifner Bainbridge, 93, of Kingsley, died Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Palm at Regency Square in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Vance was born on May 4, 1932, to John A. and Lena (Heifner) Bainbridge at his grandmother's home on the south side of Kingsley. He was the youngest in the family, joining two stepbrothers and one stepsister from his father's first marriage.

During Vance's youth, he and his parents moved frequently before eventually settling in Kingsley, where his parents later divorced. Vance and his mother then moved to Sioux City, where he graduated from East High School in June of 1950.

After working for a time as a farmhand, Vance joined Kingsley Lumber Company in 1953, where he remained until its closing in 1983. He then continued his career with Kuchel Lumber Company until his retirement.

Vance married Marjorie Willis on April 27, 1968, and he welcomed her two children, Keith and Kathleen, to the family. Marjorie passed away on September 28, 1993. On December 2, 1995, Vance married Lorraine Kots, who brought six children into their blended family. Lorraine passed away on December 9, 2014.

Vance had a deep love for reading, attending auctions, and collecting antiques. He had a lifelong passion for horses and especially enjoyed spending time at horse shows. In his younger years, Vance earned his pilot's license and proudly purchased a small airplane, fulfilling one of his many dreams.

Survivors from the union with Marge include his daughter and her spouse, Kathleen and Jim Hudec of Walthill, Nebraska; 5 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

Survivors from the union with Lorraine include six children and their spouses, Larry Kots, of Le Mars, Butch Vander Laan, of Maurice, Loren and Henny Kots, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Luann and Bob Wittrock, of Cherokee, Lyle Kots, of Whiting, and Lola Kots, of Bay City, Michigan; 8 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents Vance was preceded in death by his brothers, Harlen and Russell "Bud," his sister, Maxine; his first wife, Marjorie, his second wife, Lorraine; his son, Keith; daughter, Linda Vander Laan; and daughter-in-law, Pat Kots.