Raymond Ray Gottfried Heine

Raymond (Ray) Gottfried Heine, 86, a respected, loving husband, caring Christian father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away surrounded by family on February 17, 2011 in Plano, Texas. He went peacefully to join our Loving Father in heaven.

Ray was born on January 23, 1925 to Bernard and Mary (Schriock) Heine in Carson, North Dakota. Raised with brother Armin Heine and sister Bernice Pruitt in his formative years on a farm in Butterfield, Minnesota, Ray enlisted in the Air Force during WWII as soon as he was able. He honorably served his country as a waist gunner on a B-17 flying many missions over enemy territory. Following the war, Ray met the love of his life, Alice Marie Schmiess, whom he married on September 7, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota. Working as a machinist most of his life, he worked on early missile programs in San Diego. Ray was extremely proud of helping to start 4 separate Lutheran Missionary churches with his service and talents.

Ray considered his family his greatest treasure. He is survived by his loving wife, Alice, with whom he shared 63 years of devoted marriage, their two children, Roger Heine and Shirley Dodson, as well as 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.