Allen Heine

Allen J Heine of St. Helena, NE passed Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Avera Sister James Hospice House surrounded by his family at 86 years old.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church in St. Helena with the Rev. Marcus Knecht officiating. Burial will be at Immaculate Conception cemetery in St. Helena. Visitation will be on Wednesday, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday, one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

Pallbearers will be his six sons: Allen “Jay” Heine, Jon Heine, Ryan Heine, Patrick Heine, Jerrod Heine, and Greg Heine. Honorary pallbearers will be the Cedar County Fair Board Members and Officers.

Allen Joseph was born on October 4, 1939 in Yankton, SD to Alphonse Joseph and Clara Mary (Rolfes) Heine. He grew up on the family farm near St. Helena; graduating from Holy Trinity High School in Hartington. He continued his education at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) where he achieved a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1966. He returned to farm with his dad and brother. Farming was his passion up to the last few years. Allen received the outstanding farmer of the year award in Yankton in 1974 and was known to be a progressive farmer adopting new technologies and practices. Allen married Marilynn Louise “Mitzi” Gengler on March 9, 1974 in Coleman, SD.

Allen was a member of Goldenrod Hills Community Action Agency for 15 years, 10 years as president, Lewis and Clark NRD board for six years, Nebraska Center of Rural Affairs for 10 years and founding member. Allen was active in 4-H in his youth and was awarded outstanding 4-H’er in 1957, served on 4-H Club Congress 1957-58. He was a 4-H club leader for 15 years with his sons. This also brought him to the Cedar County Fair board of which he was a member from 1984 to present. He served as the board president for 2 years and secretary for 15 years. In 2012 he was named Nebraska’s Fair Person of the year, the Nebraska State Fair Grand Marshal in 2016, and International Association of Fairs and Expos Heritage Award in 2018. The Open Class building on the Cedar County Fairgrounds was named in his honor for his service in 2024.

Allen was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and for many years could be found managing and calling bingo at their annual 4th of July celebration. He loved model railroading, a passion started in his youth and passed to his sons and grandsons. He loved camping with friends and family.

Allen is survived by his wife Marilyn “Mitzi” Heine of St. Helena; six sons and spouses: Allen “Jay” Heine of Cottage Grove, MN, Jon (Karin) Heine of St. Helena, Ryan (Michelle Donner) Heine of Yankton, Patrick (Miranda) Heine of Norfolk, NE, Jerrod Heine of Salem, SD, Greg (Lyndsey) Heine of St. Helena, 15 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alphonse and Clara Heine, infant sister Josephine, sister Mary Frances Arens, and brothers Leon “Butch” Heine and John Heine.