Gerald "Jerry" Heins

Gerald Heins, age 71 of Columbus, died Sunday, December 22, 2019 in Lincoln.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 am Monday, December 30, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus with the Rev. Michael Swanton officiating. Visitation is on Sunday from 5:30-7:30 pm at McKown Funeral Home with a 7:30 pm Vigil service also at the funeral home.  Visitation continues on Monday from 8:30-9:30 am at the funeral home.  Interment is in All Saints Cemetery with Military Honors by Hartman Post #84 American Legion Honor Guard.

Gerald "Jerry" Heins was born September 13, 1948 in David City, NE to Melvin and Donna (Simpkins) Heins. He grew up on the family farm in the Ulysses/Surprise area. The family moved to Columbus where he graduated from Columbus High School in 1966.  Jerry was very influenced by his time working at the Y-Knot Drive Inn/Cafe for Jim Cummings. It is here where he met his future wife. Right after high school Jerry went to work for Jack Van Berg on the horse racing circuit.  In 1968 Jerry joined the US Marine Corp for 3 years.   Jerry married Joyce Jasper on July 18, 1970 at St. Bonaventure Church.  Jerry worked for Sand Contruction, Fleischer Mfg, Bob and Toots/Alshouse Auction, and Nebraska Irrigation.

Jerry was a member of St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus and St.Lawrence Church in Silver Creek. He had a passion for animals which included horses, swans, rabbits, pheasants, quail, chickens, ducks, and stray dogs.  Jerry loved building rabbit cages.

Jerry is survived by:
Wife Joyce Heins of Columbus
Daughter Nicole (Michael) Jones of Columbus
Daughter Natalie (Tyler) Gooch of Lincoln
7 Grandchildren: Michaela, Alex, and Lucas Jones, Michael & Noah Matson, and JaMarkus and Letty Gooch
Sister Jeanne (Randy) Malmgren of Elkhorn, NE
Sister Dixie (Alan) Reyer of New Cambria, KS
Sister Cheri (Larry K.) Nickolite of Columbus, NE
Brother Bob Heins of Columbus, NE
Brother Don (Laura) Heins of Clarkson, NE
Brother Ken Heins of Columbus, NE
Brother Randy Heins of Columbus, NE
Sister Joyce Ann (Thomas) Aarhus of San Antonio, TX
Many Nieces and Nephews
Many in-laws

Jerry is preceded in death by:
Parents
Sister Becky Kush
Niece Sheila Nickolite
Nephews Larry Nickolite, Jr and Ian Thomas Heins
Dog Buddy