Howard R. Heinzel

Howard R. Heinzel was born May 3, 1937 in Ottumwa, Iowa to Bernadine (Clark) and Ralph Heinzel. He died August 21, 2017 from cancer. Howard spent most of his youth in Maquoketa, Iowa. He graduated from Maquoketa High School in 1956, lettering in sports all four years: football, basketball, and track. After graduation he spent a few months serving in the Army Reserve Program and then attended the University of Dubuque and the University of Iowa. He married Kathleen Sikkink in 1959.

Howard began his career in the insurance industry working for American Family Insurance in Maquoketa as a salesman, and then became a sales manager which took the couple to Des Moines. In 1967, Howard joined Tension Envelope Corporation where he spent 33 years. Throughout his career he received numerous awards and accolades.

His greatest love was time with his family, however as the father of three daughters he found peacefulness in the great outdoors. He was an avid duck hunter throughout his life, making it clear that there was no better place to be on a cold frosty morning than a duck blind on a pond of water. Second best was a large body of water with rod and reel in hand. Summer retirement in Leland with salmon fishing on Lake Michigan was a joy that almost surpassed the cold morning duck outings. He loved the many years of houseboating on Saylorville Lake and pontooning on Lake Leelanau. Howard had a talent for fixing anything. He will be remembered for his love of dogs (especially German Shorthairs), his artwork, his passion for history, and anything Hawkeye.

He is survived by his loving family: wife, Kathleen; daughters, Ann (Jeff) West, Jennifer (Michael) Collins, and Julie (Chad) Roethler; ten grandchildren: Jenny (Robert) Sanda, Julianne and Michael West, Sara, Ryann, Kelsey, Cresce, and Olivia Collins, Hannah and Nolan Roethler; three great-grandchildren: Natalie and Max Sanda, and Sophie Collins; siblings, Jerry (Mary) Heinzel, Richard Starr, Ross (Jane) Starr, Candy (Larry) Barnes; brother-in-law, Bill Davison; and numerous nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, Bernadine (Ross) Starr and Ralph (Donna) Heinzel; and his siblings, Jackie Heinzel Davison, Keith Heinzel, and Christy Heinzel Kilburg.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, August 24 at 10:00 a.m. at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Fishtown Preservation, PO Box 721, Leland, MI 49654; or Mercy Hospice-Johnston, 5820 Winwood Drive, Johnston, IA 50131. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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