David Heil

David Frank Heil, 79 of Madison Lake, died Friday, May 26, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at All Saints Catholic Church in Madison Lake. Visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m., Monday, May 29, 2017 at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato.

Born in Mankato at Immanuel St. Joseph’s Hospital along with his twin brother Thomas to parents, Ramonda and Frank P. Heil.

Dave attended St. Peter and Paul Elementary School and graduated from Loyola High School class of 1955. He attended University of Northern Iowa, and graduated from Mankato State University with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in 1959.

Dave began his teaching career teaching Biology at Montgomery High School from 1959-1966. From 1966-1993 he taught science at various levels, completing his teaching career as Planetarium Director at East High School for astronomy classes and district wide elementary programs. While teaching in Mankato, Dave also started his coaching career in gymnastics, wrestling, football, and golf. His final coaching position was boys varsity golf coach at East High, where he enjoyed many proud moments at the State Tournament with his team.

David was the recipient of two National Science Foundation Grants, one at Macalester College in St. Paul and a three year grant to the University of Oklahoma where he earned his Master’s Degree in 1975. He proudly wore his OU shirts and hats and remained an avid fan.

Dave married his college sweetheart Audrey “Kay” Lorenzen, December 29, 1962 in Ida Grove, Iowa. Both lifelong educators passionate about teaching and constantly pursuing further education, they collaborated on District 77 K-6 Astronomy curriculum, with Dave bringing the science knowledge and Kay adding the elementary knowledge and experience.

Their first child Christine was born in 1963, followed by their second child Steven born in 1965, and their third child Jon born in 1969. The Heil Family lived in Mankato until 1987 when they moved to their lake home on Madison Lake.

Dave’s first love was his faith followed by his family and his friends. He enjoyed many Canadian fishing trips, his most recent was in June 2016, accompanied by eleven family members including sons, his grandson, brothers, nephews, and friends.

His next love was golf, which he enjoyed playing with his wife, lifelong friends, children and grandchildren. He remembered every hole on every course he ever played. He was often remembered for this quote when lending advice on the golf course, “bend your knees, eyes on the ball, elbows in, slow on the back swing, and most of all be comfortable!”

In the winter months Dave and Kay escaped the cold weather to live in sunny Arizona, several years with Christine’s family and 9 years in their home in Sunflower Resort in Surprise, Arizona. They enjoyed many new acquaintances in Sunflower who quickly became lifelong friends.

Those left to love his memories are his wife of 54 years Audrey Kay, his daughter Christine Kay Coopman and her husband Joe of Glendale, AZ; sons,  Steven Frank Heil and his wife Heather Kim of Keller, TX and Jon Thomas Heil of Carver, MN. Also left to remember him are his 5 grandchildren; Leah Nicole Heil, Sarah Kay Coopman, Jackson Christopher Heil, Justin David Heil, and Riley Steven Heil; twin brother, Thomas (JoAnne) Heil; brother, Paul (Huguette) Heil; sister-in-law, Susan Heil; and brother-in-law, Richard (Susan) Lorenzen. Also left to love David’s memories are his twelve nieces and nephews and their families.

Those who preceded David in death are his parents; brother, Charles; sister-in-law, Joan Heil; mother-in-law, Hazel McCollough; and several cousins, many colleagues and, good friends.

-The pain passes but the beauty remains-