Arthur "Art" John Heick

Arthur "Art" John Heick, age 94, of Cherokee, passed away Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at Cherokee Regional Medical Center in Cherokee. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee. Pastor Richard Arndt officiated. Burial was held at Oakland Cemetery in Peterson, on Tuesday afternoon, following the lunch at the church. Visitation was held at 10 a.m. Monday with the family present from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday night at Greenwood Funeral Home in Cherokee. Online condolences may be sent to www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

Arthur "Art" John Heick, the son of John and Alma (Subcliff), was born May 26, 1915 in Sutherland. Following his schooling, Art farmed his dad's farm and then his own farm for many years. After an accident on his farm, he worked at Cherokee Regional Medical Center for many years until his retirement. He also drove the ambulance for the hospital. He especially enjoyed fishing and spending time at their cabin in Dent, Minn. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cherokee.

On June 18, 1938 he married Evelyn Anna Gingen in Vermillion, S.D. They had two daughters, Lorene Avonne, who died as an infant and Lonna Lynn.

On Aug. 12, 1959, he married Mabel Anna Tolzin. Art will be sadly missed by his wife of 50 years, Mabel,who is currently residing at the Gardens Retirement Community in Cherokee.

Art was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Lorene Avonne; one great-granddaughter, Ariel Tolzin; and one sister Bernice Porth.

He is survived by his daughter, Lonna Lynn (Robert) McEwen of Savannah, Ga., four adopted children: Curtis W. (Joyce) Tolzin of Cleveland, Minn., Keith W. (Janet) Tolzin of Ellensburg, Wash., Kermit W. (Sandy) Tolzin of Clarinda, and Marla Jean (Bill) Avery of Camarillo, Calif.; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; one sister, Fern Benner of Hemet, Calif. as well as many nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.