Tom Heimkes, age 66, formerly of Jordan, MN, entered eternal peace on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, at his home in Arlington, MN.
A graveside service honoring Tom will be held on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 3 pm, at St. John Calvary Cemetery, 4950 Kreuser Road, Jordan, MN. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that you consider a donation to High Island Creek Residence in Arlington, MN. Condolence cards addressed to Tom’s family can be mailed to Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan, MN 55352.
Tom was born on May 12, 1957 at Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague, MN. He joined his siblings, Bob (6), Anne (5), Patti (3) and Bill (18 mos). They lived in Jordan along Sand Creek along with their parents, Rose Mary and Earl. Tom joined the family as a sweet, smiling baby in a chaotic, ever busy, ever-growing home. As an infant he never cried. Other developmental milestones were also missed. At a time when his symptoms were not well understood the family was told that Tom had muscular dystrophy and would probably not live beyond the age of 20. As school age approached additional testing was performed and it was determined that he would not be able to attend school like the rest of the children. He remained at home with his three younger siblings: Colleen, Kathy and Joan.
When Tom was 10 years old a program was established at Lydia for children who were developmentally disabled. Tom attended this program until he became an adult. The program helped him master many basic life skills and gave him an outlet that he loved. He was ready to go to school each and every day. After the school portion ended, Tom continued in Lydia at the Day Activity Center.
Growing up in a large family Tom enjoyed wrestling with his brothers, laying outdoors in the sun, watching his favorite movie “The Wizard of Oz.” and the television show, “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Ma and Pa Kettle.” He loved Santa Claus and getting presents.
When Tom was 32 years old, a residential home opened in Arlington, MN, (High Island Creek Residence (HICR)), for developmentally handicapped individuals. It seemed like a good fit and as hard as it was on his mother, he moved in. Tom remained in this home, because it really was his home, until his passing on July 4, 2023. Tom had to quit wrestling as a sign of affection, but he retained all his other interests and added watching baseball and outings in the community. He enjoyed dressing up for Halloween. He loved his fellow housemates and they him. While Tom enjoyed his visits home to his Heimkes family, he did not like to be away very long from his HICR family.
Tom never grew angry with anyone; he was never vain or cruel; he enjoyed the simple things in life…coffee, bread, juicy fruit gum and popcorn among other things. He never judged anyone or was upset if it was too long between visits. Tom loved the people who cared for him and his family. His life left an indelible mark on all of them, and it can only be described as “a life well lived.”
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Rose Mary and his father, Earl. He is survived by his siblings, Robert (Nancy) Heimkes of Prior Lake, Anne Heimkes Tuttle (Scott Hansen) of Luck, WI, Patricia Hardage of Murfreesboro, TN, Bill (Anne) Heimkes of Jordan, MN, Colleen Heimkes (Steven Brotzler) of Waterville, MN, Kathy Mayerhofer (Tom) of Luck, WI, and Joan O’Brien of Shakopee, MN; and many other loving family members and friends.
