Marilyn Jane Heine

Obituary Marilyn Jane Heine passed on to her Heavenly Father at age 91 on September 14, 2019, after a long struggle with Parkinson's disease. She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Howard (Bim) Heine. Her deceased parents were Arthur and Bertha Krause of Peoria, Illinois. She is survived by her brother Frederick Krause, of Tucson, Arizona, and several nieces and nephews. Marilyn grew up in Peoria on a fruit and vegetable farm (Hyland Farms), graduating from Christ Lutheran Grade School and Manual Training High School. She graduated with a BS from Bradley University in Peoria and St. Luke's School of Nursing in St Louis as an RN. She did post graduate work in surgery at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. After returning to St. Luke's and teaching operating room technique to student nurses, she moved to the Minneapolis area to participate in heart surgeries at the University of Minnesota Hospital. She then went on to St. John's Hospital in St. Paul where she eventually became an administrator in the surgical department. After retiring from St. John's she continued on as a surgical nurse at Ridge's Hospital in Burnsville, Minnesota until almost age 80. After being struck with Parkinson's and the resulting physical and mental deterioration, she moved to Tucson in 2014 to be under the umbrella of a family support system, her brother Frederick and his wife Nancy. She lived in senior facilities in Tucson, transitioning from independent living to assisted living to memory care. Marilyn devoted her life to the field of surgical nursing and the care of people. She was an active member of AORN, the professional society of operating room nurses and participated in many of their activities. She and her husband were also devout members of St. Michael's Lutheran Church while residing in Bloomington, Minnesota for more than 50 years. Locally she was an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Tucson, where a "Celebration of Life" will be held on Saturday, September 28, at 11 am. Her remains will be placed along side of her Navy veteran husband in Ft. Snelling Military Cemetery in Minneapolis at a later date where a graveside remembrance is being planned. Memorials may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church in Tucson or to The Humane Society of the United States (or your local Humane Society). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marilyn Jane Heine, please visit our floral store.