Richard F Heller

Richard F. Heller, age 54, of Mankato died Monday, March 5, 2007 at his home.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 9, 2007 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Mankato with Rev. John Peterson officiating. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at church on Friday.

Richard was born July 10, 1952 to Herbert and Dorothy (Holtan) Heller in Forest City, IA. He was confirmed in the Lutheran faith in 1966. He graduated from Wilson Campus School in 1970. He married his life partner Marsha Browne on October 25, 1995. He was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. A lifelong sports lover, Richard was an enthusiastic and competitive team player for many community teams for baseball, basketball, football, and softball. Richard was a major driving force in the founding of Mankato Baseball. His early childhood love of sports was instilled by his mother, who taught him to play baseball, golf, tennis, and water ski. He was a natural athlete excelling in water skiing, diving, tennis, golf, and competitive pool playing. At 25 Richard tried out for the Minnesota Twins and was called back once, which was one of the greatest experiences in his life.

Richard is survived by his wife and life partner, Marsha Browne-Heller of Mankato; daughter, Johannah; son, Jonathan; parents, Herbert and Dorothy Heller of Lake Washington; brothers, David Heller of Mankato, Bryan (Joni) Heller of Stillwater; sister, Sally Heller Davis of Prior Lake; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Suzanne Browne of Mankato; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Thomas and Rita Browne of Mankato; James and Cam Browne of Billings, MT; former wife, Anne Tonn of Ortonville; aunts, uncles, and many nieces and nephews.