Darlene Elsa Heise, age 85 of Prior Lake, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2017.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 10:00-11:00AM at Immanuel Lutheran on Fish Lake, 20200 Fairlawn Avenue, Prior Lake, with a service starting at 11:00 AM. Darlene will be laid to rest at the Gens Family Cemetery in Vernon, Center, MN. Pastor Brent Parrish will preside
On June 29, 1931 in Vernon Center, MN, parents William and Elsa (Zempel) Gens celebrated the birth of their daughter, Darlene Elsa Gens. Following her graduation from Madelia High School in 1948, Darlene attended Mankato State University before completing her studies as a registered nurse at Northwestern School of Nursing. On April 14, 1956 Darlene exchanged wedding vows with Arno Heise at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato. This union was blessed with four children and many wonderful years of marriage.
Throughout her life, Darlene was committed—to her family, her work, her hobbies and her church. She had a steadfast faith. In her later years, Darlene pursued her passion for organic gardening and hobby farming. You could always hear music playing in her home, whether classical on NPR or her deft touch on the piano while singing. When she wasn’t in Minnesota, she loved visiting her family and wintering in Phoenix, AZ.
Darlene’s engaging and driven spirit will always be cherished by her children, Holly Heise, Brian (Denise) Heise, Glenn (Tammy) Heise, Kevin (Joan) Heise; grandchildren, Kristina (Chris), Brandon, Devin, Dylan, Alexia; sister-in- law, Marvel Gens; sister-in- law, Phillis Heise; and other loving relatives and friends.
Darlene will be greeted in heaven by her husband, Arno Heise, parents, Will and Elsa Gens, and siblings, Doris (Klem) Engel, Ken (Donna) Gens, and Wally Gens.
