J. Ronald Heinz

J. Ronald “Ronnie” Heinz, 64, of Oslo, MN, died unexpectedly following a heart procedure on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in Abbot Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.

James Ronald Heinz Jr. was born on January 27, 1959, to James Sr. and Margaret (Cox), in National City, CA. Raised in southern California, Ronnie graduated from high school in 1977 and moved up north to live with his Grandma Heinz in Oslo. He never left. He worked for Cenex for 37 years, doing just about every task available to him. From putting up grain bins to pumping gas, changing oil to delivering propane, Ronnie was the guy you called if you needed to get something done. The group of guys he worked with over these years became his lifelong friends. Early in his time in Oslo, he caught the eye of young local bartender and managed to impress her, despite being terribly skinny and in need of a haircut. He and Susan Dickson were married on September 1, 1984. They made their home in Oslo, where they raised their two children, Justin and Amy.

Much of Ronnie's time on this earth was spent looking out for others: he, himself, came second. As a father, he would drop what he was doing at a moment's notice to help his children- not even small things would go unfinished if he was asked to do them. He so enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren and paid forward all the affection shown by his own grandparents: he was well-loved and loved well in return. He was always available for a cup of coffee (often at Cenex),or to pull up a chair for a good story and some small talk. The route for the Stephen Post Office for the last eight years kept him both busy and satisfied. He was a man whose soul was simply too big for his heart.

He will be missed by many, but most of all his loving wife of almost 40 years, Sue; his children, Justin (Rachael) Heinz and Amy Heinz; grandchildren, Judson and Elliana; his sister, Lori (Allen) DeWitt; his siblings-in-law, Ann (Dave) Michalski, Mary (Mike) Loomis, and Jim (Nancy) Dickson; and his nieces and nephews, Brian and Matt DeWitt, Jennifer Howdahl, Becky Boman, Sally Kovarik, Liz Moen, Angie Bates, and James, Casey, Travis, Brandon, and Sheldon Dickson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and in-laws, Elgin and Florence Dickson.

In Lieu of Flowers, Memorials are Preferred to the Foundation For Prader-Willi Research (FPWR) or the Oslo Fire and Rescue.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Oslo, MN.
VISITATION: One hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Oslo, MN.