Harvey Heckman

July 19, 1924 - February 25, 2010

ST. JAMES: A Celebration of Life Service for Harvey Heckman, 85, of rural St. James, Minnesota, will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, South Branch, rural St. James, Minnesota with Rev. Matthew Rusert officiating. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.

Harvey died on Thursday morning, February 25, 2010 at St. James, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Kramer Family Funeral Home in Trimont and
one hour prior to the services at the Church on Tuesday. Messages of Sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.kramerfuneralhome.com

Harvey Henry Heckman became a child of God through Baptism July 27th,1924, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, South Branch. He was born at his parents’ home on July 19,1924. His parents were Herman and Meta (Lange) Heckman. He lived on the family farm in South Branch Township with his parents and sister Mildred, (later Mrs. Kenneth Coleman). At age 83 he stated “I still sleep in the same room I was born in.” In June, 2008 he entered Pleasant View Nursing Home in Saint James, where he continued to live until he entered his eternal home, February 25,2010. He attended St. John’s Lutheran Christian Day School at South Branch and Graham Dairy School.

On Sept.24,1961 he was united in marriage to Lois Elaine Grupe at St. John,s Lutheran Church in Sherburn. They continued living on the family dairy farm. They were blessed with two sons: David Delmar and Leroy Arlo. Harvey’s interest in God’s Creation lead him to be steward of the land, caring for and improving the South Branch Registered Holstein dairy herd. He provided a Christian and happy home for his wife and sons. An active member of local, state, and national dairy associations, Harvey was a dairyman until well into his sixties. He kept a diary, writing in it daily for nearly fifty years. He enjoyed deer hunting in northern Minnesota with his friends.

Harvey was an avid reader and photographer. He was active in his community, serving as a board member of his church and its school. His photo interests included nature, landscapes, and flowers, as well as documenting family vacations and celebrations, friends, and homes and farmsteads around South Branch. He participated in camera clubs at the local and regional level, and often displayed his pictures at the Watonwan County Fair. He became well known in recent years for sharing his photos of round barns, an interest which took him to ten different states.

Harvey is survived by his wife, Lois, (St. James, MN), and sons David (Indianapolis, IN) and Leroy (Austin, TX); brother-in-law, Kenneth Coleman of rural Truman, Minnesota; several nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

Harvery was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mildred Coleman; mother and father-in-law, Louis and Hattie Grupe and other relatives.

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Born: July 19, 1924
Death: February 25, 2010

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