James R. Heiny

James R. Heiny, 88, Mason City, passed away Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016, at The Bridges, Ankeny. Memorial services were held Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at First United Methodist Church, Mason City, with Rev. Judy Eilders officiating. Military honors were conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Inurnment will take place at a later date. Jim supported many organizations so memorials may be directed to the donor’s choice. Major Erickson Funeral Home, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.
Jim was born Oct. 7, 1928, in Albert Lea, Minn., the son of Albin and Lola (Keig) Heiny. He grew up in Northwood, and graduated from Northwood High School in 1946. While in high school, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, sang in quartets and chorus, did vocal solos, played clarinet in a quartet which received first place in national contests, and was all conference in basketball and football. He also worked as a Boy Scout Counselor at Camp Roosevelt and as Waterfront Director at the Girl Scout camp, Clear Lake.
In 1946, he continued his education at Grinnell College, Grinnell. He was a member of “Honor G” society (freshman athletics letterman). He was president of his sophomore class, lettered in basketball four years, member of Friars Club (top 10 men in the senior class), and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
In 1950, he entered the College of Law at the University of Iowa, Iowa City. There he was Notes Editor for Iowa Law Review (senior year), wrote for the Law Review (junior year), was Order of Coif (senior year) (the top 10 percent of his graduating class), and received a degree of Doctor of Juris Prudence in 1953.
On Sept. 2, 1951, Jim married Wava J. Isaacson. After Wava’s death in 1980, Jim married Norma L. West in 1982.
Jim enjoyed travel, bird watching, crossword puzzles, reading, music and spending time at his cottage on Rice Lake. He was also an avid ham radio operator (NOGMB).
In June of 1953, Jim became an associate with the law firm of Westfall, Laird and Burington, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in September of 1953. After his honorable discharge in September of 1955, Jim returned to the Westfall Firm, where he became partner in 1958 and practiced mainly in the areas of probate and real estate law.
Jim served on the Board of Governors of the Iowa State Bar Association, Board of Directors of the Iowa State Bar Foundation, was President of the Cerro Gordo County Bar Association, Exchange Club, Scout Master, was active in various positions at Saint Paul Lutheran Church and First United Methodist Church, served on the Committee of Churches that acquired Good Samaritan Nursing Home and the formed Good Shepherd, President of Good Shepherd for 10 years, Trustee of Farrer Foundation, Trustee of Mabel Field Memorial Scholarship Trust, Managing Trustee of the E.R. and Alice Keig Scholarship Trusts, YMCA Board of Directors, YMCA Board of Directors Foundation, Y-Man of the Year, President of Lutheran Social Service Foundation of Iowa for eight years, first chairman of the Board of Adjustment of Cerro Gordo County, when the county first adopted zoning ordinances.
Jim was proud to have been an attorney with his firm in Mason City for 57 years. He went Of Counsel on Jan. 1, 2010.
Jim is survived by his children: Jon Heiny, Houston, Texas; Jane Heiny Smith (John), Ankeny; Ann Hohenshell (Jeff), Arden Hills, Minn.; and Tom Heiny (Lisa), Buffalo, Minn.; seven grandchildren: Jonathan and Meredith Heiny, Jackson Smith, Emily, Samuel and Nathan Hohenshell, and Makenzie Heiny; his sister, Jean Mohr; his cousin, Becky Johnston; three step-children and nine step-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wava in June of 1980; and his second wife, Norma, in July of 2016.