Ernst "Ernie" Arthur Heinecke

Ernie Heinecke was born April 17, 1926, in Sheboygan, WI., the son of Ernst Frederick Heinecke (October 23, 1884 to October 22, 1964) and Lydia (nee Guelhsdorf) Heinecke (March 5, 1885 to December 1,1964) and was baptized May 19, 1926, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Sheboygan, WI.

The formal education for Ernie was in Bethlehem Lutheran Church School. This was followed by high school at Sheboygan South High School. He graduated 1944.

Ernie enlisted in United States Army Air Force July 28, 1943, and entered active duty August 10, 1944. He received an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Staff Sargent on June 27, 1946. During his service to our country he was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and World War II Victory Ribbon.

Following his military service Ernie attended Valparaiso University (Valpo), where he earned a B.A. in Business and Economics with a minor in Law 1950. While at Valpo he lettered in football and was a member of the Phi Psi Fraternity.

Ernie married Caroline Elsie Krueger June 18, 1949, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in Sheboygan, WI. They had three sons who servive; Thomas E. Heinecke (Donna Enghauser), Minnetonka MN., Lt. Col. Retired Steven H. Heinecke (Robin Heinecke), Queenstown, MD., and Rev. Timothy J. Heinecke, Dongola, IL.

Caroline (Kelly) preceded him in death on July 8, 1967.

Ernie married Marjorie Zimmerman on February 3, 1968, Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI. Marge brought two daughters and a son, who all survive, along with her into the family; Cynthia J. Anderson, Schofield, WI., Gerald E.Zimmerman, Stafford, TX., Deborah Walters (Ronald Walters), Wausau, WI.

Marge preceded Ernie in death on February 2, 1975.

Ernie’s niece, Betty Messman introduced him to her best friend, Nadine Lennell Randall. Ernie and Nadine were married onSeptember 1, 1975, Trinity Lutheran Church Urbana, IL. Nadine brought three more daughers who all survive, into the family; Christa S. Berg (John Berg) Urbana, IL., Carla S. Andresen (Scott Andresen) Urbana, IL., and Cara S. Bundy, Memphis, TN.

Also surviving are 15 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren

Upon graduation from Valpo Ernie joined the family business, Heinecke Sausage Co. where he managed the butcher shop in Plymouth, WI.

In the mid-fifties Ernie worked in sales briefly for Armour before beginning an extended career in life insurance sales and management. Ernie started as a District Representative with Aid Association for Lutherans in West Bend, WI. and was soon promoted to General Agent with Aid Association for Lutherans AAL) in Wausau, WI. During his over thirty years with AAL Ernie earned numerous company awards. He was also active and served in leadership roles in several insurance industry groups including the National Association of Life Underwriters, Wisconsin Association of Life Underwriters, Wisconsin Valley Association of Life Underwriters, General Agents and Managers Association. Insurance industry awards and accomplishments include:

Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU)

Wisconsin Valley Association of Life Underwriters “Man of the Year -1983”

Wisconsin General Agents and Managers Hall of Fame 1992

While living in Wausau Ernie was involved in and held various offices in several community groups including the Wausau Lions Club, the Wausau American Legion Post 0010, the Marathon County March of Dimes, the Marathon County Heart Fund, Town of Kronenwetter Planning Commission, Lutheran Laymen’s League, Valpo Guild, Board of Directors for the North Wisconsin District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Wausau Country Club. He was also active and held various offices, first at Zion Lutheran Church, Wausau, WI, and later at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Schofield, WI.

After retiring Ernie and Nadine moved to the greater Memphis area living first in Collierville, then Olive Branch, before ending up at the Solona in Germantown.

Faith Lutheran Church in Collierville became their church home. At Faith Ernie served on many committees and boards including the Board of Elders, Board of Trustees, and Expansion Committee. Church offices that he held at one time or another include, Finance Director, Vice-President, and President of the congregation.

During retirement Ernie worked as a consultant in Capital Funding for the Lutheran Church Extension Fund of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.