Heinrich VonMende

Heinrich “Heini” Ilmar VonMende V.

Last Tuesday, March 21, 2023, our Lord Jesus called Heini home to heaven. Heini was born on September 18, 1935 in Riga, Latvia, the son of Heinrich & Margarite (Hoppe) VonMende. Because of the war, his family moved many times from Riga, Lativia to Posen, Germany to Berlin, Germany to Karlsbad, Czech Republic to Wessmarck, Germany to Bad Nauheim, Germany where they lived for 10 years until they came to the U.S. in August of 1955 and settled in Owatonna, MN. Heinri married Ellen Tuthill? on August 17, 1959 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Owatonna. Their marriage of 49 years was blessed with four children. The VonMendes made their home in Osseo, MN for many years. Heini attended Dunwoody Institute and spent more than 50 years working as a machinist for James A Smith Co. Heini was an avid soccer fan and played, coached, and refereed for many years and was always waiting for the next professional game he could watch via TV or in person if a family member was playing. He was inducted into the Minnesota Soccer Hall of Fame as well as the Minnesota Referee Soccer Hall of Fame. He also enjoyed bowling and playing card games. Heini also served in the Army National Guard for 10 years. His beloved wife, Ellen passed away in December, 2006. In November, 2013 Heini married Doris M Pettit. For the past 10 years they have enjoyed each other’s companionship, enjoyed traveling the world together as well as spending time at their lake place in Sauk Centre, MN, and enjoying time together with their extended family and friends.

Heini is preceded in death by his parents, Heinrich and Margarite; his wife, Ellen; his sister, Lilian; and grandson, Zander. He is dearly survived by his wife, Doris; his sons, Heinrich VI, Christian, Kurt (April); daughter, Katharina “Kassey” (Rob) Shirley; step-daughter, Christel (David) Bauers; his 14 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 5 step- grandchildren; and 6 step-great-grandchildren; along with his sister, Faye (Jack) Engbarth and many other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held for Heinrich at Discover Church Brooklyn Park: 1400 81st Ave N, Brooklyn Park, MN 55444 on Sunday, March 26th at 3:00 PM with an hour visitation prior to the service.