Gary Heintz

Dec. 25, 1958-Aug 5, 2023

Moorhead, Minn.

Gary James Heintz, the son of Mathias “Matt” and Martha (Hagel) Heintz was born on December 25, 1958 in Rugby, North Dakota. He died at the age of 64 years on Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Arbor Park Assisted Living Center in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Gary was raised in the home of his parents of rural Orrin, where he attended grade school. He completed his education graduating from Rugby High School, the class of 1977. After high school, he farmed and raised cattle alongside his dad. In 1979, he began driving school buses from the Orrin area to Rugby. He owned and operated a route until 1990, when he began working for Hartley’s School Bus Service and drove both school buses and charter buses. He drove charter buses for Hartley’s from 2000 to 2012, totaling 33 years as a bus driver. Eventually, Gary moved to his house in Rugby.

On Saturday, May 5, 2012, he was outside doing yardwork, tripping over something which caused him to fall and hit his head on the concrete. He had injured his spinal cord; which began his life in a wheelchair. He worked four and a half years to learn how to live again, how to balance, sit up and even eat again. He continued with therapy and exercises to keep his muscles moving but remained in a power wheelchair. It is admirable what Gary accomplished, all while keeping positive and pushing forward. He enjoyed gardening, camping, trips to the casino and loved driving both school bus and the charter bus trips. Gary will be missed, is at peace now and never will be forgotten.

Gary is survived by his sister, Stella Helm of Kent, Minnesota; brother Arnold (Carol) Heintz of Springfield, Oregon; sister-in-law, Darlene Heintz; numerous nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Martha; sister, Bertha “Bert” Holt and brothers, Edward and Charles.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11 at Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby with lunch to follow and burial at 1:45 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Orrin.

Pianist: Glenda Mack Vocal leader: Galen Mack

Honorary Bearers: Sebastian Niesche, Sammee Niesche, Skylar Berg and Sasha Niesche

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, Aug. 12, 2023.