Beatrice Marian Heike

Beatrice M. Heike, age 98, of Willmar, passed away Friday, October 10, at Vista Prairie at Copperleaf.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21, at Vinje Lutheran Church. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, October 20, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Beatrice was born on April 27, 1927, in Willmar, Minnesota, the daughter of Bernt and Palma (Lueken) Balke. She grew up on a farm east of Eagle Lake, was baptized and confirmed at Vinje Lutheran Church and attended country school District #60. At the age of 16, she moved into Willmar and began working at Town Talk Cafe, Willmar Cookie Company and Juba's Super Valu for many years. On November 9, 1946, Beatrice was united in marriage to William "Bill" Heike. This union was blessed with three daughters, Audrey, Darlene and Arlys. Beatrice was a life-long member of Vinje Lutheran Church and was active with the holiday fair and serving groups. She was also a member of the Willmar Senior Citizens.

She is survived by one daughter, Arlys (and Doug) Gronli of Spicer; one son-in-law, Roger Manthey of Buffalo; seven grandchildren, David (and Chanda) Lankey, Michelle (and Daniel) Strese, Michael (and Jackie) Manthey, Erik (and Kristen) Manthey, Jesse Manthey, Terresa (and Jason) Kuboushek and Julie Gronli; eleven great grandchildren, Amber Lankey, McKenna and Chase Manthey, Mason and Gabriella Manthey, Emma, Abigail, Noah and Jonah Kuboushek and Sara and Kate Trcha, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William "Bill" in 2018; two daughters, Audrey Lankey and Darleen Manthey, and a grandson, Aaron Lankey.