Leroy Hieb
d. May 26, 2014
Leroy Arnold Hieb was born May 11, 1937, rural Tripp, South Dakota, the son of Edwin and Inez Hieb. He passed away on May 26, 2014, after a 5 day stay at the Granite Falls Manor. He was baptized and confirmed at the Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp. Leroy attended rural school through eighth grade and graduated from Tripp High School in three years. He then completed his college degree in education from the University of South Dakota, Springfield Campus, in three years while playing football and serving in the National Guard. He then continued his education and completed his Masters degree from Stout University in Menomonie, Wisconsin, in three summers.
On June 15, 1962, Leroy was united in marriage to Ruby Brunz in Gregory, South Dakota. To this union two children were born.
Leroy was an educator/coach in Lyle, Minnesota and Granite Falls/Clarkfield Minnesota schools for 33 years, retiring in 1995. ‘Mr. Hieb’ has received many compliments and has been reminded of many stories from his former students. He has missed very few high school sporting events throughout his 48 years of living in Granite Falls.
Nature and the outdoors were his favorite places. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, motorcycling, bicycling, and jogging. He took up jogging at the age of 66 and began marathon running. The last few years he enjoyed going for a ride on his bicycle to neighboring towns for a cup of coffee before returning. Leroy and Ruby loved dancing to any kind of beat. If there wasn’t a dance floor available, he would be seen tapping his toe, moving his hand or bobbing his head to some good, fast beat music. (even in church!)
Leroy was an active advocate for his community. He played key roles in the starting of the Granite Falls Rescue Squad and the Granite Falls Lions Club. He also was an active member of the United Church of Christ, the Jaycees, Circle Sentencing/Restorative Justice, Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization, Senior Advisory Board, volunteer driving for LAH/BNP and Dinner at Your Door and helped maintain Lady Slipper gardens in Granite Falls. He was given awards by the Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce and Senior Citizens for his dedication. Leroy did mission work in Mississippi, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
Leroy loved life and socializing. He often had ‘one liners’ and pulled jokes on others and then laugh about it. He was dedicated to God and was thankful for the many blessings that he had received.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby, of Granite Falls: children: M. Todd (Lisa) Hieb of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Kristi (Kelly) Leinen of Evergreen, Colorado; grandchildren: Ashton Leinen, Addison Leroy Leinen, Avery Leinen, and Tannika Ingalls; sister: Emily (Lonny) Bickett of Mitchell, South Dakota, sister and brothers-in-law Rod and Pauline Hartog and Myrna Brunz, Burke South Dakota and 7 nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Leroy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Inez Hieb; father and mother-in-law, Adolph and Helen Brunz and brother-in-law, Arthur Brunz.
On June 15, 1962, Leroy was united in marriage to Ruby Brunz in Gregory, South Dakota. To this union two children were born.
Leroy was an educator/coach in Lyle, Minnesota and Granite Falls/Clarkfield Minnesota schools for 33 years, retiring in 1995. ‘Mr. Hieb’ has received many compliments and has been reminded of many stories from his former students. He has missed very few high school sporting events throughout his 48 years of living in Granite Falls.
Nature and the outdoors were his favorite places. He loved hunting, fishing, camping, traveling, motorcycling, bicycling, and jogging. He took up jogging at the age of 66 and began marathon running. The last few years he enjoyed going for a ride on his bicycle to neighboring towns for a cup of coffee before returning. Leroy and Ruby loved dancing to any kind of beat. If there wasn’t a dance floor available, he would be seen tapping his toe, moving his hand or bobbing his head to some good, fast beat music. (even in church!)
Leroy was an active advocate for his community. He played key roles in the starting of the Granite Falls Rescue Squad and the Granite Falls Lions Club. He also was an active member of the United Church of Christ, the Jaycees, Circle Sentencing/Restorative Justice, Granite Falls Riverfront Revitalization, Senior Advisory Board, volunteer driving for LAH/BNP and Dinner at Your Door and helped maintain Lady Slipper gardens in Granite Falls. He was given awards by the Granite Falls Chamber of Commerce and Senior Citizens for his dedication. Leroy did mission work in Mississippi, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico.
Leroy loved life and socializing. He often had ‘one liners’ and pulled jokes on others and then laugh about it. He was dedicated to God and was thankful for the many blessings that he had received.
He is survived by his wife, Ruby, of Granite Falls: children: M. Todd (Lisa) Hieb of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; Kristi (Kelly) Leinen of Evergreen, Colorado; grandchildren: Ashton Leinen, Addison Leroy Leinen, Avery Leinen, and Tannika Ingalls; sister: Emily (Lonny) Bickett of Mitchell, South Dakota, sister and brothers-in-law Rod and Pauline Hartog and Myrna Brunz, Burke South Dakota and 7 nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Leroy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Inez Hieb; father and mother-in-law, Adolph and Helen Brunz and brother-in-law, Arthur Brunz.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Leroy Hieb, please visit our flower store.