James Heising

james heising

James P Heising, 77, Fargo, ND died Friday, March, 19th, 2010 in his home under the loving care of his family.

James Peter Heising was born on December 6,1931 in St. Paul, MN to Dewey R. and Blanche (Connor) Heising.  They moved to Fargo when he was four years old.  He graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1949.  He attended North Dakota Agricultural College for one year before transferring to Mayville State Teacher's College on a grant for a 1st grade elementary teaching program.  He taught for one year at Kelly School District, a rural school half way between Tower City and Page, ND.  Jim joined the 188th Army Band National Guard in 1951 as a Corporal.  He enlisted in the Navy in July 1952.  He did his Basic Training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, WI.  He attended Airman Preparatory School in Norman, OK and Photography School in Pensacola, FL.  He was stationed in the Marianas Islands of Guam for 5 months and was then a part of the VU 5 Photography Unit at Atsugi Base in Japan.  He was shipped back to Guam for 3 months before spending the last two years of his service in Anacostia, WA.  Jim was discharged in July 1956 and returned to Fargo, ND.  He began working for Building Specialties-and continued with them throughout the summers while he attended North Dakota State University for 3 years. He transferred to Moorhead State University for his last year and obtained his degree in Education in 1959.  Jim married Kathleen "Katie"  Eblen on November 28, 1959 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro, ND.

He started teaching Math at Central High School in Fargo, but eventually moved to Fargo South and taught Science.  He spent 35 years in the Fargo Public School System, retiring in 1993.  Jim continued his education doing graduate work at East Carolina University, Greeneville, NC, NDSU, University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and MSU. One summer Jim drove a milk route for Cass Clay.  By the second summer he had moved to driving for Personette Distributing and spent 27 years with the company.  He also continued in service through the National Guard by rejoining the 188th Army Band in 1973.  He retired from the Guard in 1991. 

Jim was an active member of the Fargo Education Association, the North Dakota Education Association, and the National Education Association.  In 1958 he was inducted into the Newman Honorary Society.  Jim was a member of the American Legion and Elk's, playing in their bands.  He volunteered with the Shriners by playing for them when needed.  He enjoyed flying model airplanes and was a member of the FM Skylarks, the Dakota Skymasters, and Valley RC's. His hobbies also included hunting deer, prairie dogs, pheasant, and ducks. He enjoyed target shooting, fishing - especially at Leech Lake, MN, loading cartridges, collecting guns, listening to music, photography and reading.  He was a member of the North American Hunter's Association.   

He is survived by his wife: Katie; children:  James Heising Jr, , Fargo, ND, Rachelle Schultz (Robert) Winona, MN, Maureen Wehri (Bruce) Fargo, ND, Roxanne Atwood (Michael) New Richmond, WI, Heather Heising, Fargo, ND, Michaela Nyland (Mark) Fargo, ND, M. Shannon Dahlvang (Dan) Fargo, ND, Patrick Heising (Stacey) Maple Grove, MN, Daniel Heising (Stacy) Casselton, ND; 25 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; brother:  Dewey R. Heising (Erna) Washington, D.C. and sister:  Mary Ann Graves, Wimberley, TX, 26 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Colleen Heising.

 Memorials preferred to Roger Maris Cancer Clinic.

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  1. I have just heard of your loss. Memories flood my mind and heart. So many years of my life were touched by your remarkable family. Though I did not know your husband and father well, I had the good fortune of experiencing his influence. Each of you I have known and worked with enriched my life in important ways. ‘The Heisings’ have been a point of reference in MANY workshops and conversations over the years. A large, caring family that had such cohesion and comfort that they were able to focus on others. Reaching out, even in adolescence, with compassion and sensitivity. Often with a twinkle in the eye.
    And Katie, I’m fully aware of the fact that this could not have happened without YOU!!!! Big love to all!
    Michelle

  2. Washinton, District of ColombiaI wish I could have been there but the two last conversations I had with Jim, the first informing me of the prognosis, and the second a few days later, followed by short conversations with Katie or the children when Jim could not come to the phone, and followed by several long conversations with Mary Ann brought me closer to him than at any time I can remember. They will always be with me. I am vey proud of him.

  3. Gudalajara, Mexico Thank you Mr. Heising for a family that I will always remember and a teacher I will never forget.

    Even before I attended my first day of school Mr. Heising was helping to teach me. Unfortuanltely, as I am a Davies, the teaching was normally in the department of manners.

    His children are all a part of my life as proven by the fact I can name them all in order. When I was younger he was a man of few words simply because he did not need many to get his point across.

    As a teacher he helped me to understand electricity and to stay away from it. If a man is truly judged by his children, then Mr. Heising you have earned an A.

    My thoughts are with you Mrs. Heising, you and all of your wonderful children.

  4. Willows CaliforniaI was honored to have Mr. Heising as my physics teacher at Fargo South. Mr. Heising also helped me to get into the 188th Army Band. I was going for a military physical to join the Air National Guard one day, and Mr. Heising informed me that there was a Army National Guard Band in Fargo. If it wasn’t for him, I would have been a cook in the Air Guard! It was because of joining the 188th Army Band that I have continued to play in community bands to this very day. Without Mr. Heising’s encouragement, my musical experience most likely would have ended at high school graduation, like so many do. Because of my continuance, my children are now playing musical instruments, and I am extremely thankful to Mr. Heising for this and many other things. I will miss my teacher, my fellow 188th band member, and my friend very much!

    God Bless, JOY ROSE

  5. Guadalajara, Mexico I’m so sorry for your loss. I really liked your dad, and he always went out of his way to smile and talk to me in the halls of South years after he taught me how to get the jelly out of the jar the RIGHT way at the dinner table.
    He was a great example of a father and husband. You have to be a great man to raise 10 beautiful children the way he and Mrs. Heising did.
    I feel like all the kids are family to me, and I will be thinking of you all, and praying for you.
    Thank you Jim, for making so many kids that took care of the O’Connor boys. We’d have been doomed without you all.

  6. Katie, Rachelle, and all you wonderful Heising kids:
    It was with great sadness that I read about Jim’s death. I greatly appreciated his participation in the raising of my two sons, and never expressed that to him…. Without the entire Heising family, (especially Rachelle, of course), Marty and Dan would have been like two baby wolves wandering in the wilderness (or so they tell me). Jim was always kindly indulgent of their presence in the Heising household….or so he let on….
    I know how much he was loved, and how much he will be missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
    Jean Schmith, aka Mrs. O’Connor–or just plain Jean

  7. Winona MN
    Dear Rachelle and family—our hearts are breaking for you and you’ve been in our thoughts and prayers. God bless and keep you all!
    Jim and Kathleen Lanik and family

  8. Pelican Rapids MN
    Katie,
    My heart goes out to you and your children. I have such fond memories of your family when we worked together at Bethany.
    I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
    Julie (Carlson) Olson

  9. New Richmond WisconsinTo the Atwood family and the rest of Roxanne’s family, our sincere condolences for your loss.
    The Neitzke’s

  10. Los Angeles CaliforniaRachelle and family,
    Mom just called to let me know of your dad’s passing. I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family during this difficult time.

  11. Fargo, ND
    There are so few words at a time like this.

    Let the words we have speak to the love, the loss, the legacy of one who will be truly missed.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with Katie and her family.

    Bill, Cecile, Ken and Mike Satrom

  12. Danville CAI think the greatest legacy a man can leave is his family. Therefore, your father was was a man whose honor, pride and wisdom will be with the world for many years to come. I wish you comfort in your memories, and in the little parts of him each of you recognizes in yourselves, your children, and your grandchildren.

  13. Breckenridge MN
    I am so sorry for your loss. Jim was a wonderful guy. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family.

  14. Grand Forks ND
    We share your moments in your loss- your family is in our thoughts and prayers. We hope to all someday enjoin Jim in his Heavenly home.
    May God Bless each of you…
    Chet and Sharon Paschke


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