In Memory of Clinton Heckenlaible

Clinton Heckenlaible, age 74, of Mora died December 8, 2013 at the Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 13th at Strike Funeral Home – Cambridge Chapel with Rev. Jack Baumgarn officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Friday and also from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday, December 12th at our Cambridge Chapel. Interment will be in Cambridge Union Cemetery.

Clinton Edmund Heckenlaible was born on May 14, 1939, in Minneapolis, MN, the oldest son of Edmund and Helen Heckenlaible. He grew up in and around East Bethel, MN and graduated from St. Francis High School in 1957. While attending the Isanti County Fair, he met the most beautiful princess he had ever seen, Marlene Lewis. They were married on February 13, 1960. To this marriage, four daughters were born: Karla, Kelli, Kathi and Kerri. They raised their family in East Bethel. Clint worked for Lampert Lumber for many years and then after his first heart attack in 1980, he had various other jobs while dealing with his health issues. They made several moves after that time, following Marlene’s job, and then finally after retiring they settled in Mora, MN. They enjoyed ten years at their home on Fish Lake. Clint enjoyed doing crafts with Marlene, fishing, sports, and spending countless hours with family and friends. It didn’t really matter to Clint what he was doing as much as who he was doing it with. He will always be remembered for his quick wit and sense of humor. He also had so much pride for his “4 Special K’s” and their families.

Clint was called to heaven on December 8, 2013 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in Minneapolis, MN surrounded by his family. From his first heart attack to the decision to have an LVAD implanted in November, his fight covered 33 years, many surgeries, endless treatments and a few groundbreaking procedures. In spite of the extraordinary efforts of his medical providers, Clint’s journey came to an end at the age of 74 years, 6 months and 24 days. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by an infant sister and brother Dean.

Clint is survived by his wife, Marlene of Mora; four daughters, Karla (Dave) Walton of Oak Grove, Kelli ( Brian) Hill of Oak Grove, Kathi (Curt) Toliver of Temecula, CA, Kerri (Mike) Johnson of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; 9 grandchildren, Scott (Courtney) Walton, Dan Walton, Kelsey (Jake) Yatckoske, Michael Hill, Bekki Hill, Preston Rawlings, Amanda Rawlings, Hannah Johnson, McKenna Johnson; 5 great-grandchildren, Lilly Walton, Scarlett Walton, Desi Hill, Jayden Yatckoske, Noah Yatckoske; brother Jim (Marlys) Heckenlaible of East Bethel, MN; and many other relatives and friends.