Bonnie Heins

Bonnie Heins, 67 of Indian River, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.

Born on March 28, 1949 in Morris, MN, Bonnie was the daughter of Erwin and Esther (Hauglund) Heins.  After graduating from Morris High School in 1967, Bonnie attended X-Ray Tech School in Minneapolis.

Throughout her career as an X-Ray Tech, Bonnie lived in Minnesota, Oklahoma and Sitka, Alaska before moving to Indian River in 1996.

When she first moved to Sitka, Bonnie worked as a fish processor at Sitka Sound Seafoods.  It was demanding work with high standards and she was proud of her work there.  Later she went to work as an X-Ray Tech at SEARHC Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital.  Since moving to Indian River, Bonnie worked at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey in Mammography.

It was in Sitka that she met the love of her life, Richard Gay in 1986.  They were married in Sitka in 1991.

Bonnie enjoyed canoeing, camping, fishing, sewing and spending time with her dogs.  She was an accomplished seamstress, making most of her own clothing in her youth and continuing with her passion for sewing throughout her life.  She enjoyed helping Rick with his honey bees and spending time in their 1930 Ford Model A.  They made many friends in the Northern Rods & Rides Car Club in Indian River.  Rick will always be grateful to their friends for their love and support throughout Bonnie’s illness.

Bonnie loved all of her family and she enjoyed staying in touch with them.  She is survived by Rick, her husband of 25 years; her mother, Esther Peterson of Morris, MN; a sister, Susan Heil of Georgetown, TX; her nephew, Jeffrey Heins; her nieces, Kris Heins, Kathie Ellefson, Sara Baker and Jennifer Lefforge; several great nieces and nephews; and her sister in law, Carol Heins.  She was preceded in death by her father; and by a brother, David Heins.

Bonnie’s family and friends will remember her at a memorial service to be held in the near future.  Final interment will be with her family in Morris, MN.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Women’s Resource Center or Hospice of the Straits in Cheboygan or Cheboygan County Humane Society.

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with Bonnie’s family at wwwgaylordfuneralhome.com