Obit: Hein, Louis "Louie" J. Sr. (1915 - 2007)

Contact:  Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hein, Koutny, Demuth, Hanson, Justice, Zitek, Woehrer, Adams, Anderly, Sawyer, Berry, Chmelka

----Sources: Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI.) July 4, 2007

Hein, Louis "Louie" J. Sr. (January 17, 1915 - June 26, 2007)

Louis J. "Louie" Hein Sr., of Lincoln (formerly of David City and Wahoo), died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Tabitha Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln.

The youngest of eight children, Mr. Hein was born January 17, 1915 near David City, Nebraska to Nicholas Sr. and Frances (Koutny) Hein and attended St. Mary’s Elementary School in David City. As a young man he broke horses to ride, worked on harvest crews and served in the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930’s. Louie farmed, owned a tavern in Weston (1962-1964), and also was employed by Peter Kiewit & Sons Construction Co. in Omaha. After moving to Lincoln in 1989, he operated a lawn mowing business in addition to being a custodian at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Mr. Hein married his childhood sweetheart, the former Armella A. Demuth on August 19, 1940 in David City. They began married life with 50 cents and lived in a grain bin their first few weeks together. Armella died June 17, 1952. Louis, with the encouragement of his brothers, met the former Julia E. Hanson thru a newspaper singles column. She was teaching school in Yankton, South Dakota area and keeping house for her two bachelor brothers. They married on July 22, 1953 at David City. She preceded him in death on March 17, 1985. The former Evelyn Justice was united in marriage to Mr. Hein on November 25, 1989 at Lincoln. She died August 13, 2005.

Louie was a longtime blood donor, delivered Meals on Wheels in both David City and Lincoln, was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lincoln, and was an honorary life member and past Grand Knight of the Tiehen Council 1717 Knights of Columbus in David City.

Louie is survived by his son, Dr. Louis J. Hein, Jr. and spouse JoAnne of Thorp, WI; daughters and spouses: Lucille and Fritz Zitek of Staplehurst, Marjorie M. Woehrer of Wahoo, and Patricia and Greg Adams of Bloomfield Hills, MI; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Armella A. (Demuth), Julia E. (Hanson), and Evelyn (Justice); brothers Ed. F. Hein, Sr., and Nick Hein, Jr.; sisters: Louise Anderly (twin of Louis), Agnes Sawyer, Clara Berry, Helen Chmelka, and Lucille (infant twin of Nick); son-in-law, Leon Woehrer; grandson, Dennis Zitek; great-granddaughter, Hanna Zitek, and nephew Adrian Hein.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday June 30, 2007 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, David City with interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery. Msgr. Adrian Herbek was the Celebrant. Visitation was held on Friday from 1-3 p.m. at the Svoboda Funeral Home in Wahoo.

Additional visitation was after 4:30 p.m. Friday and one hour before the Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil Service was held at the church at 5:30 p.m.