"Doris and family, my Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Tom. He was always such a happy fella. Our genealogy conversations were great fun. He?ll be missed by all. "
In loving memory of
Thomas "Tom" Heying
September 26, 1940 - April 16, 2022
Thomas "Tom" Heying, 81 year old resident of Little Falls died Saturday, April 16 at his home in Little Falls. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 22 at 10:30 A.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Belle Prairie. A visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 21 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls and from 9:00 A.M. until the hour of the service at the church on Friday. The burial will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls.
A Parish Prayer will be held on Thursday evening at 5:30 P.M. and the Knights of Columbus will pray the Office of the Dead Prayer at 7:00 P.M.
Thomas "Tom" Heying was born on September 26, 1940 in rural Albany to the late Ambrose and Leona (Kemper) Heying. At the age of 3 his family moved to rural Richmond where he grew up. He attended a one-room country school for grades 1-8. He then attended St. Boniface Catholic School in Cold Spring, graduating with the class of 1958. After graduation he joined the Army Reserve, serving from 1958 - 1962. Tom was united in marriage to Doris Welle on June 20, 1962 at St. Peter & Paul's Catholic Church in Richmond. He was employed with Lampert Lumber Company, living in Parkers Prairie, Aitkin and then in Little Falls. In December 1974, Tom took employment at Camp Ripley first in military pay and then after 2 years he transferred to State Dept. at Camp Ripley as a carpenter, locksmith, and finally then as a carpenter supervisor before retiring in September 2004. In February 1974 Tom enlisted in the Army National Guard at Camp Ripley serving until February 1995. In July 1970 the family moved to rural Ripley Township where Tom served as the Township Clerk from 1982 - 2010. After retirement, he and Doris bought a townhome in Little Falls. His first love was old -time music and classic country. Tom learned to play bass guitar in the early 1970's and played in various bands throughout the years. He enjoyed playing the tuba and bass guitar and played bass in the Holy Family Folk Group for many years. Tom learned to play bass guitar in the early 70's and played in various bands. His first love was old-time music and classic country. He enjoyed playing the tuba and bass guitar. He loved John Deere tractors and was a member of the Two-Cylinder Club. Tom was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Morrison County Genealogy Club. He played bass in the Holy Family Folk Choir for many years. He had a great love for his children and grandchildren, his siblings, Doris's siblings and their families. Of course, the love of his life was Doris whom he shared most of his life with.
Tom is survived by wife Doris; children, Rick (Julie) Heying, LaVonne (Harley) Clark, Ed (Peggy) Heying, Dr. Shirley Heying, and Anita (Bryan) Wattier; grandchildren, Rachel and Emily Heying, Sam and Miles Wattier, Austin (Jamie) Clark, Alex Clark; great-grandchild, Harleigh Clark; siblings, Robert (Karen) Heying, Dennis (Diane) Heying, David (Jean) Heying, Carol (Jim) Backes, and Mary (Gary) Schmidt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ambrose and Leona Heying and father and mother-in law, Edwin and Gertrude Welle.
Emblom Brenny Funeral Service is Cherishing the Memory and Celebrating the Life of Tom.
Tributes
"Doris and family, so very sorry for your loss! I have many great memories of working with Tom on the Ripley town board. I don?t have to tell any of you what a wonderful man he was! We will miss him in this life but will be with him in the next life! We loved him and love Doris very much! Rest In Peace my friend!"
"Shirley, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time. Shari"
"Sending our condolences to Rick & Julie and the entire family in the loss of Tom. Greg & Jenene Schaubhut"
"So sorry for your loss,sending prayers and love to all he will be with the Lord !"
"Doris and Family, we are so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure and honor working with Tom for many years on the Ripley Township Board. He will be dearly missed. Patty Branchaud"
"Our sympathy to all the Heying family. Tom always enjoyed family and his polka music. We will miss his smile and family history research. ?? from Louise and LeRoy Cutsforth"
"Gentle hugs, prayers, and condolences go out to Doris, Rick, LaVonne, Ed, Shirley, Anita, and families. So sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I always enjoyed singing with him and Doris, and family, whether it was the youth choir in the 1980's at Belle Prairie, or the Folk Choir as well. Blessed be his memory. May he rest in the peace of Christ, and may God hold all of you in the palm of his hands."
"Tom is my Mom's (Kathy Hanowski) cousin. Before COVID, we often saw him at Coborns deli after church for breakfast. He always had a big smile for us. He was also my Cubscout leader long ago. What a great guy! We will miss him. Heart felt condolences to Tom's family. Peace."
"We pass our prayers and condolences onto the entire family. Tom was a very special person. Love from the Heying family. "
"Doris and family, we will miss Tom's kind words and warm hugs when we needed them most!"
"I will miss Tom's smile and hugs. He always had a way of making my day. Condolences and prayers for the family."
"Sorry to hear of Tom's passing. Sympathy to all your family. I will miss his hugs!! "
"So sad to hear of Tom?s passing. He was the friendliest person?. Enjoyed talking with him. Will miss seeing him at church at Holy Family. Hugs to you, Doris and family."
"Doris and family we are saddened to learn of Tom?s passing. He will always be remembered for kindness and friendly way he treated everyone.
Virgil and Babe Brisk"
"So very sorry for your loss. "
"Y deepest sympathy Doris to you and family sorry to hear of Tom''s passing many good memories of you and Tom... God bless you and the family at this sad time..."
"A welcoming and kind man who we will surely miss at our faith community of Holy Family. Our prayers are with you Doris and family."
"My condolences to Doris and family. Tom was a light that burned brighter when he walked into a room full of people. I will always remember his smile and huge hug. He always made you feel like you were the most important person to him. I know there is an impromptu jam session happening at heavens door right now."
"I pray for peace over Tom's family."
"Doris and family we are so for loss! You are in our thoughts and prayers!"