Joseph L. Heim

Joseph Louis Heim, Jr. (89), of St. Charles, passed away July 8, 2026, at Lewiston Senior Living. His family was able to take care of him at home until the last week of his life.

Joe was born on June 17, 1937, in Winona, Minnesota to Joseph L. Heim and Bernice (Ploetz) Heim. He was raised on a farm near Fremont, Minnesota. He attended Fremont school and then Lewiston High School where he graduated in 1955. At the age of 16 he met Shirley Spitzer at the roller-skating rink in Elba, Minnesota. Two years later they were married on October 12, 1955, and together raised four children.

Joe started his first business hauling milk from farmers to the Fremont Creamery, and then to Whitehall, Wisconsin. He sold that business and then hauled hogs from the Lewiston Sales Barn to Albert Lea packing plant. In 1964 together with his wife Shirley, they started a livestock buying station west of Lewiston where they bought and sold hogs and cattle. They went on to purchase the Lewiston Sales Barn. They sold the sales barn in 1977. Joe was known for his honesty and fairness in business dealings. He attended Rochester Bible college for a short time. Joe went on to haul grain for area farmers. He retired and spent eight years in Laughlin, Nevada. Joe and Shirley moved back to Minnesota in 2004. He loved the outdoors and took long daily walks. He enjoyed country and gospel music, dancing to polka music and playing cards with family and friends.

Joe was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. He served on the Board of Elders, Evangelism Team, and as a Sunday school teacher. He had a deep faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, which he witnessed to until he died. He had a favorite saying, “It’s only what you do for others that counts.”

Joe is survived by his wife, Shirley; his daughter, Nancy; his son, Jesse; five grandchildren: Adam, Matthew, Joseph, Robert, and Cheyenne; one great-grandson, Christopher; his brother, Robert (Rose) Heim; his sister, Barbara (Wally) Nahrgang; his brother-in-law, Paul Spitzer; his sister-in-law, Bonnie (Mike) Kemple; as well as many nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, and his church family.

He was preceded in death by his sons, Matthew and Steven (Robin); his brother, Alfred (Carolynne) Heim; his parents, Joseph and Bernice Heim; his father and mother-in-law, Harry and Christine Spitzer; his sisters-in-law, Kathryn (Joseph) Leisen and Arlene (Paul) Spitzer; and his brothers-in-law, Richard (Jane) Spitzer and William (Jane) Spitzer.