Ellsworth “Ell” Alton Heusinkveld, 88, of Mantorville, Minn., passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 4, 2022, at Riverbend Assisted Living and Memory Care in Rochester, Minn.
Ell was born March 3, 1934, in Spring Valley, Minn., the son of the late Alton and Vera (Wissing) Heusinkveld and raised on the family farm near Cherry Grove, Minn. He was a graduate of Wykoff High School in 1953, then served in Korea with the Army. Upon coming home from the service, Ell completed the Machinist Program at the Austin Technical College. He worked for over 30 years at IBM and finished his career as an Industrial Engineer. During retirement Ell drove school bus for many years with the Kasson School District while maintaining and operating a U-Cut Tree Farm. One of his many joys was selling Christmas trees to families in and around Mantorville. Each year Ell would draw a name of a customer for a 10-pound turkey. Every customer enjoyed hot chocolate, Russian tea, candy canes and other snacks. Ell was challenged the last few years with dementia. He made the best of it and while living in his one-bedroom apartment, he enjoyed his south facing balcony. He loved feeding the birds, watching many sports teams on TV, and playing cards every day. Ell was an immediate hit when he arrived at Riverbend Assisted Living because of his skill at the game of 500. Everyone wanted to be his partner.
Ell is survived by his sisters Kathleen Roberts and Faithe Timmer, sons Michael and Mark Heusinkveld, daughters Tracey McGuire and Darla Heusinkveld, stepdaughters Tiffany Duncanson and Trista Reber, stepson Jason Reber, grandchildren Jill, Olivia, Quinn, Amelia, Eli, Shaun, Dylan, Tori, Taylor, Haley, Ethan, Alexa, Grady, Trisity, Brody, and Bailey; step greatgrandson Ryatt, nieces, nephews, cousins and many more.
He was preceded in death by his brother Arlo Heusinkveld, first wife Judy Hayes, second wife Susie Reber, and step grandson Cody.
A memorial service was held held at 11 a.m. Monday, May 9, 2022, at Kasson United Methodist Church, 801 5th Ave NW Kasson, Minn., with Pastor Jacob Hanson officiating. Visitation was 5-7 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th Street SE Kasson, Minn., and one hour prior to the service at the church.
A live stream of the funeral service was provided on the Kasson United Methodist Church Facebook page www.facebook.com/KassonUMC/.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Honor Flight Network, www.honorflight.org/donations.html.
To share a special memory or condolence please visit Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St. SE Kasson, Minn. 55944, (507) 634-6510, www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com. Blessed be his memory.