Obituary of Dennis Joseph Heine

Dennis Joseph Heine, age 66, of Yankton, SD passed away peacefully at his home after a courageous battle with cancer early Monday morning, February 10, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, February 14, 2014 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Mark Lichter officiating. Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Yankton, with Military graveside rites by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post #791 Honor Guard and the SDARNG Honor Guard. Visitations will begin at 4:00 PM, Thursday, at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7:00 PM followed by a video tribute and then Scripture service at 7:30 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Dennis Joseph Heine was born on March 9, 1947 to Henry and Mary (Burbach) Heine at Sacred Heart Hospital. He grew up on a farm near Bow Valley, NE. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul Grade School and graduated from Cedar Catholic High School in 1965. In 1967, he declared "follow me" and volunteered for the U.S. Army but was unable to enlist due to a car accident. Then, in 1968 he was eventually drafted and served his tour of duty in Vietnam, returning home in August of 1969. For his heroic service, he received (2) Purple Hearts, (2) Silver Stars and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. On November 7, 1970, he married his best friend and love of his life, Judy Johnston at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Hartington, NE and then settled in Yankton, SD. In 1972, Dennis graduated from Mount Marty College with a Business degree. He started his career working at Bauer Electric in Yankton, SD. In 1976, he started his own business, WYE Electric, an electrical wholesale business. After 20 successful years, he sold the business and became part owner of Fejfar Plumbing from 2001 until present. In 2013 Mount Marty College honored him with the Distinguished Professional Achievement Award. Dennis loved coaching his kids in baseball and soccer. He also loved playing golf, boating with his kids and grandkids, biking, traveling and playing cards. He never lost his great sense of humor and always had a joke to share. Dennis is survived by his wife, Judy of Yankton and 5 children: Tonya (Bruce) Schild and Eric (Sarah) Heine, both of Yankton, SD, Jennifer (Craig) Schelske, Ryan Heine, and Katie (David) Pesicka, all of Sioux Falls, SD; 13 Grandchildren; 2 sisters, Eleanor (Jerome) Feilmeier & Bernice Tramp; 1 brother, Jim (Deb) Heine and 2 sisters-in-law Ruth Heine and Kathy (Jim) Tunink; and many nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister and brother Richard.