GEORGE “AL” HEIN

GEORGE “AL” HEIN

George Allen “Al” Hein, 72, of Saginaw, died Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, in his home with his loving family by his side.

Al was born in Blackduck, Minn., Dec. 17, 1939, to George and Goldie (Patch) Hein. He lived in Shotley, Minn., until 1952 attending school in Shotley and Kelliher. In 1952 his family moved to Beaver Bay, and he worked at Mattson's Store in East Beaver Bay while attending Two Harbors High School, graduating in 1957. He worked at Reserve Mining from ‘59-‘74.

Al married Janet Peters in June of 1960, and they resided in Silver Bay. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1974, and Al worked at Blandin Paper Co. until 1982. The family all enjoyed being closer to the old family farm in Shotley, a lot of time was spent fishing Upper Red Lake, hunting or just relaxing. They moved to Colstrip, Mont., in 1982 and Al worked at Montana Power until 1983; lived in Park Falls, Wis., from 1983-84 and Al worked at Flambeau Paper Mill; lived in Iron Mountain, Mich., from 1984-85 working at Quinnesec; and in 1985 they moved back to Minnesota, residing in Duluth and working at Lake Superior Paper. In 1990 Al had an opportunity to go back to Grand Rapids and went to work at Minnesota Power's Clay Boswell Power Plant in Cohasset. Once again lots of fun time was spent in Shotley with his grandsons. Al transferred to the Hibbard Power Plant in 1995 and moved to Saginaw. Al retired in 2002.

Everywhere he went, Al made friends that would last for a lifetime. He was an active member at Sychar Lutheran Church in Silver Bay. He always loved music and enjoyed volunteering with Blandin's Northwoods Opry as sound man at venues around northern Minnesota. He spent many hours “ringing the bell” at Christmas time and at the Minnesota Power tree chipper in January. He took beautiful pictures of nature, especially of Jan's flowers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Goldie (Patch) Hein; and his son, Lynde.

Al is survived by Janet, his loving wife of 51 years; daughter Lynda Flinck of Saginaw; son Lyle of Saginaw; brothers Ron (Joyce) of Duluth and Phil (Barb) of Willmar, Minn.; sisters Connie (Jim) Abramowski of Bloomington, Minn., and Susie (Ralph) Vossmer of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandsons Jeremiah (Tracey) Flinck of Prior Lake, Minn., Ryan, Nathan and Matthew Flinck of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Andy and Alex of White Bear Lake, Minn., and Cody of Eagan, Minn.; and great-grandchildren Kelsey and Luke Flinck of Prior Lake.

VISITATION: 2 until the 3 p.m. funeral service Monday, Sept. 10, in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet. A time of lunch and fellowship will follow in the Fireside Room of the funeral home.

To sign the online guestbook, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com

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