Richard Henry Fred Heinecke, 74, passed away on Saturday, November 24 ^th at his home surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with cancer. Visitation will be Tuesday, November 27 ^th from 3-7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. Prayer Service at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. Funeral Services will be on Wednesday, November 28 at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. Pastor Jim Wilshusen will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Nicholas Heinecke, Hayden Heinecke, Preston Green, Payton Green, Les Heinecke, Dale Rinas, Travis Rinas, and Terry Deutsch. Honorary Pallbearers will be his numerous coffee buddies, his granddaughters, Paige, Victoria, Ava, Tessa, and Emma and his great grandson Torryn. Burial will be at the Sisseton Cemetery.

Richard was born November 6, 1944 to Herman and Emma (Ceroll) Heinecke in Sisseton, SD. He was baptized at Emanuel Lutheran Church on December 3, 1944. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith on June 28, 1959 also at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Sisseton. Richard attended country school until junior high and then he attended Sisseton public schools until he graduated in 1962.

Richard was united in marriage on June 5, 1964 to the love of his life Dixie Foster. To this union, three children were born, Brian, Bradley and Kristen. Richard farmed for 50+ years. He served on many boards including, the Sisseton Farmers Coop Elevator, the local railroad and was an elder, trustee and whatever else was needed at Emanuel Lutheran Church. Richard loved high school sports, Richard and Dixie traveled many miles to support the Sisseton Redmen. Richard loved to dance and many people enjoyed watching him and Dixie glide across the dance floor. They enjoyed getting in the car in the winter and see where the road would take them. Many times they ended up in south Texas dancing to Albert Mikesh. Richard's greatest blessings were his 9 grandchildren and his new great grandson, Torryn. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Chiefs fan.

Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dixie, Sisseton, SD. His two sons, Brian (Johanna) Heinecke and Brad Heinecke of Sisseton, SD. His daughter, Kristen (Brad) Green of Breckenridge, MN, and Tracy Gibson, also of Sisseton, SD. His 9 grandchildren, Nicholas (Brianna) Heinecke, Hayden Heinecke, Paige Heinecke, Victoria Heinecke, Tessa Dykstra, Emma Heinecke and Ava Heinecke, of Sisseton, SD and Preston and Payton Green, of Breckenridge, MN. His Great Grandson, Torryn Heinecke, of Sisseton, SD. His brothers Sherman (Elaine) Heinecke and Dennis Heinecke both of Sisseton. His sister Charlene (Bill) Schaumberg of Coal Valley, Il and his brother in law Bill Silliman of Bigfork, MN. Brother in law, Dennis (Brenda) Foster of Rosholt, SD and sister in law Deanne Foster (Warren Johnson) of Becker, MN and numerous nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Emma Heinecke, his brother Ronald Heinecke, his sister Carol Silliman, his mother and father in law Helen and Herman Fitz.