Paul Heers, 1927-2017

Published 9:24 am Friday, February 24, 2017

Paul Robertson Heers, Sr., 89, of rural Oakland died Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, at his home. 

He was born Oct. 10, 1927, in Winnebago, the son of Ray and Dorothy (Johnson) Heers. Paul was one of nine children, and he loved and adored his eight siblings. He attended Amboy High School, graduating in 1946. A sports lover, Paul played baseball, basketball and fast-pitch softball. He was a pitcher. 

Paul Heers

On March 18, 1950, Paul married his 4-H sweetheart, Frances (Francie) Gilman, at Lincoln Baptist Church in Lake Crystal. The couple moved to Owatonna in 1951, where they farmed with Paul’s dad and brother, Wally. In 1961, Paul and Francie moved to Oakland Township and started farming on their own. Among his favorite pastimes were fishing — especially with his brothers and dad — and involvement in his church, 4-H and community.  Paul was a member of the Oakland Farmer’s Elevator Board, the FHA Board and Oakland Baptist Church, then Grace Baptist.

Survivors include his wife, Francie, of Oakland; his children Paul Jr. (Vickie) and Peter (Karen), both of rural Oakland, Josephine (JoEllen) Hamilton of Rochester, Jane (David) Youngman of Savage and Ann (Michael) Deane of Lakeville; 13 grandchildren, Kaye (Corey) Hansen, Caroline (Dallas) Hetzel, David (Sarah) Heers, Simon (Becca) Heers, Kevin (Steph) Heers, Melissa Hamilton, Andrew Hamilton, Thomas (Kelsey) Hamilton, Emily Youngman, Luke Youngman, Madeline Deane, Maxwell Deane and Isabel Deane; 12 great-grandchildren, Victoria, Gloria, Luke, Riley, Jenna, Henry, Ella, Alli, Emmi, Evan, Tyler and Olivia; siblings Marilyn (Dale) Larson of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Ruth (Alex) Larson of Amboy and Bill (Jean) Heers of Faribault; sister-in-law, Nancy Heers, of Ann Arbor; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Dorothy; siblings John (Elaine) Heers, Margaret (Hollis) Leagjeld, Wallace (Charlotte) Heers, Wendel (Barb) Heers and Jean Alleman; and two grandchildren, Andrew Youngman and Bailey Deane.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Baptist Church in Austin. The Rev. Devin Larsen will officiate. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Primrose and the Mayo Clinic Hospital System Hospice Program for the thoughtful care given to Paul. 

Worlein Funeral Home of Austin is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.