John Heise

John Kendall Heise

July 17, 1939 - November 5, 2024

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of John Heise after complications from a recent fall. 
Please keep the Heise family in your prayers during their time of loss.

John’s celebration of life service, is held on Sunday, November 4, at 2:30 PM, at McDougall United Church.

OBITUARY

John Kendall Heise was born in Birtle, Manitoba to Russel and Thirza Heise. He was raised in a loving, supportive home on the Heise farm in Isabella, Manitoba. John was the youngest of five boys. With the nearest farm a mile away, his older brothers played a big part in his upbringing. They were always kind and helpful towards John.

As a young child, John would gather eggs, weed the garden, and help with household chores. He had a small wagon he would use to gather items such as firewood for the kitchen stove. As he grew and his older brothers moved away, he assumed more responsibilities on the farm.

John always had a talent for sports. One of his first memories was going to the ball tournaments his older brothers played in. John would chase all the foul balls and return them to the umpire. John loved playing baseball and hockey. He played on a baseball team with his brother Lawrence that won the Midwest Championship. After John finished grade eleven at the local one room school, he left to attend University of Manitoba. He continued to play sports, intramural hockey, and football. He also did a lot of refereeing for the hockey program.

John’s first paying job was the summer he turned seventeen. He worked as a welder’s helper on the TransCanada pipeline. He made $1.35 per hour which paid for much of the following year’s university tuition. John graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics. After graduating, he built and operated a Dairy Queen in Winnipeg with his brother Lawrence while working for the Manitoba Agriculture Credit Corp lending money to farmers. He married Merle in 1963 and worked for Canada Permanent Mortgage and later Prudential of America as a mortgage loan officer in Regina. He continued to lend to farm operations as well as to residential and commercial properties. The Dairy Queen was sold after three years of operation about the time John switched paths to manage a house building company in Saskatoon.

He was transferred to Vancouver a couple of years later to develop some residential condos. John was recruited back into the mortgage business in 1972. He moved to Calgary to open a branch operation. In 1986, he left the mortgage business and started his own company, Western Business Parks Realty. He concentrated on commercial and industrial leasing and property management with sales of light industrial properties.

Supporting the community was important to John. He was an active participant in making the Lake Bonavista Recreation Center become a reality. He became president of the Lake Bonavista Community Association in 1982. John coached hockey, ringette and girls’ softball. John was heavily involved in the Mac’s U18AAA Hockey Tournament. He worked on several committees and served as a director for several years. John’s volunteering was not limited to sports. He was an active member of McDougall United Church serving on the property committee, the M and M committee and Board of Trustees. He often helped out as church usher, sound room operator, and host for Inn from the Cold. John also served on the strata council where he lived in Midnapore and the Venture Out Board of Directors.

Retirement took John and Merle to Venture Out Park in Mesa, AZ. He enjoyed playing slo pitch ball, pickleball, hiking and spent time in the pool hall. John and Merle traveled to a variety of countries and frequented Texas to spend time with Allison’s family.

Family was important to John. He was married to Merle for 60 years and played an active role raising their three children and being involved with all eight grandchildren. He was proud of the lives his children and grandchildren have made for themselves. John is survived by his daughter, Allison (Paul); sons Kevin (Tara) and Cameron (Dana); his grandchildren Kaylee (Chad), Kirsten (Stephen), Alyssa, Indya, Ava, Mya, Max and Rebecca; as well as his brother Lawrence (Lynne) and many nieces and nephews.