Robert Elmer Heien

Robert E. Heien, 69 of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Accura Healthcare in Le Mars.

Funeral Service will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at Mauer Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in rural Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorials are preferred to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

Robert Elmer Heine was born on December 26, 1956 to Elmer and Mary Heien. Robert grew up on the family farm near Craig, Iowa. He attended Le Mars Community Schools and graduated high school in 1975.

In 1977, Robert was united in marriage to his first wife and they had two children. They later divorced.

Robert attended vocational school in Sheldon, Iowa for auto mechanics. He continued his education in 1980 when he graduated from Western Iowa Tech with a degree in truck driving. He was then hired on a local trucking company. Robert enjoyed driving over the road and seeing new cities and states.

While driving over the road, he met a lady named Kathy. They began communicating and became the best of friends, sharing the same interests. In 1985, Robert asked Kathy to marry him, and she said yes. Robert then moved to Owensboro, Kentucky to be with Kathy. He continued to truck, but Kathy preferred that he was home more often. Robert then attended Owensboro Vocation School for carpentry. After his graduation in 1988 where he graduated with honors, he was hired by Custom Barns. He was promoted to head carpenter, and then shop foreman, quickly in his time there. After 14 years, his health began to fail and after multiple heart attacks and two open heart procedures, he was forced to retire.

Robert and Kathy bought a small farm in 1994 where they cared for calves, goats, and chickens. Kathy, a city girl, loved all the animals. After he retired, Bob kept busy on the farm and built a new shop. Once Kathy’s health began to fail and she retired, they both worked together to care for the animals. They loved spending their time together on the farm.

Kathy passed away in Kentucky in 2014. Bob will be buried next to Kathy, among other family, at Resthaven Memory Gardens.

Robert is survived by his sister, Sharon (Henry) Kramer; a nephew, Chris Kramer; a niece, Brenda Kramer; a son, James Robert; a daughter, Kathryn Reasa; friend, Lynette Yates Fields; and other extended relatives.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Kathy.