Mildred W. Heinks

Mildred W. Heinks, age 96, of Le Sueur, passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2026. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Le Sueur, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Mound Cemetery in Le Sueur, with a luncheon to follow.

Mildred (Milly) was born at home on September 4, 1929, to Fred and Carrie (Freese) Hintz in Raymond, Minnesota. She attended country school and later graduated from Chippewa Rural School in 1947 in Montevideo, Minnesota. Following graduation, she continued her education at the University of Minnesota and The Charles J. Miller School of Practical Nursing, where she earned her 3-year L.P.N. degree.

On June 7, 1951, Milly was united in marriage to John H. Heinks in Clara City. Together they made their home in Le Sueur, where they owned and operated Freddy and Johnny’s Bar. She then worked as a nurse at the LeSueur Hospital for many years then finished the last 13 years of her career at State Hospital in St. Peter, MN. Their marriage was blessed with four children: David, Debra, Daniel, and Julie. Milly and John were devoted members of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they faithfully served their congregation for many years.

Milly was so full of love and compassion for everyone. She found joy in her grandchildren, tending her garden with her amazing green thumb, playing cards, cribbage, milking goats, dancing to polka music, and surrounding herself with her many plants and flowers. She will be especially remembered for her extraordinary gift of knitting. With remarkable skill and care, she created countless handmade items for her children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. Her needles were rarely still, and her creations became treasured keepsakes for many.

Milly is survived by her children; David (Marti) Heinks of Visalia, CA, Debra Bergerson of Le Sueur, MN, Daniel (Tammy) Heinks of Ogilvie, MN, and Julie (Steve) Gerdts of New Prague, MN; 11 grandchildren; Matt (Heather) Heinks, Ryan Heinks, Erin (Chris)Schwinden, Jennifer (Adam) Lawrence, Ben Stewart, Nicole (Grigory) Severyukin, Maranda Heinks, Jake (Camille) Gerdts, Andrew (Caitlin) Gerdts, Ashley (Jehro) Frank, Sam (Maran) Gerdts and 21 great-grandchildren; and sisters, Marcella Lawson of Le Sueur, MN and Patty (Ron) Toutges of Clarksville, TN. Brother-in-law, John Freese and sister-in-law, Margaret Heinks, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents and stepfather, Luke Condon; husband, John (2016); brother Freddy and son-in-law, Steve Bergerson, and several brother and sister in laws.