MOUNT HOREB - Susan Louise Heinecke, age 85, of Mount Horeb, passed away on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at VitaCare Living of Mount Horeb, Wis. She was born on April 11, 1939, in Grantsburg, Wis., the daughter of Vernon and Florence (Wicklund) Johnson. She grew up on a dairy farm, the oldest of three children.

Susan graduated from Grantsburg High School in 1957. She was part of a Wisconsin Longitudinal Study “Tracking the Life Course” of the graduating class of 1957, sharing opinions and experiences to help researchers in the social sciences and health sciences, and informing public policy and social work.

Susan was united in marriage to Richard "Dick" Dean Heinecke on July 24, 1961. They had an outdoor wedding in her parents' yard and settled into a small house in Grantsburg. Her children arrived in January 1963 and May 1965, and the family relocated to Rice Lake, Wis. in 1968.

Prior to marriage, Susan worked as a secretary in Minnesota and California. She was a homemaker and stay at home mom for about 12 years, and then worked as a waitress for a few years. Her most rewarding job was working as a CNA and Unit Secretary at Lakeview Medical Center in Rice Lake for over 25 years, retiring in 2001.

Susan enjoyed reading and listening to her favorite artist, Kris Kristofferson. She had a vast collection of Lenox ceramic “Ladies.” She enjoyed spending time with family and traveling “out west” with Dick.

Susan is survived by her daughter, Melinda “Mindy” (Geoff) Holt; son, Michael “Mike” (Vickie) Heinecke; sister, Jane Bell; sister-in-law, Cheryl Johnson; five grandchildren, Brandon (Ariel Deardorff) Holt, Nathan (Steph) Holt, Kyle (Chloe) Heinecke, Jordan (Jozi) Heinecke and Angela (Donny) Webster; eight great-grandchildren, Embrie, Eleina, Olivia, Lily, Amelia, Luna, Rylie and Charlie; and other cousins and in-laws. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her parents; brother, Duane Johnson; and brother-in-law, Steve Bell.

There will be a Celebration of Life at FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, 421 S. Russell St., Grantsburg, Wis., at 1 p.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Susan’s ashes will be laid to rest with her husband’s at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Agrace Hospice at agrace.org. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

Susan Louise Heinecke

April 11, 1939 - February 02, 2025

Share photos of Susan