Barbara Anne Heins

Barbara "Barb" Anne Heins, 92, of Rochester, passed away in the comfort of family in the early hours of Good Friday (April 3rd) 2026, at River Bend Memory Care Community in Rochester, MN.

Barbara Anne Heins, nee Phillips, was born in Cadillac, Michigan on December 10th, 1933 to Mary Louise Phillips, nee Inden, and Carl Haralson Phillips. Barbara and her family moved to Watertown, South Dakota, where she graduated high school in 1951. She then attended Northwestern School of Nursing in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1954.

Barbara met Marvin Walter Heins at a college dance and they were married on April 16th, 1955 in Minneapolis. Barbara and Marvin made their home in Rochester, MN for most of their married life. Marvin preceded her in death in May of 2021, shortly after they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Barbara was a registered nurse specializing in pediatrics for over 40 years at St. Mary's Hospital and Mayo Clinic, as well as being a full-time mother and homemaker. She participated in many local community and civic organizations (Junior Chamber of Commerce, Scout Leader for Boy/Girl Scouts, President of YMCA Y's Menettes) and was involved in PTA groups at her children's' schools whenever possible. She was a living embodiment of the idea that it takes a village to raise children and create a thriving community.

Barbara retired from nursing in 1995. In her retirement, she helped tutor ESL students at local schools, recorded books for the blind, and was an active member of her church.

She and Marvin delighted in supporting their grandchildren, and logged many hours attending band/choir concerts, plays, church occasions, any form of graduation ceremony, and a plethora of sporting events like hockey, lacrosse, football, baseball, and soccer games, dance competitions, and track & field and cross-country meets, always decked out in in the appropriate school's fan attire. Their grandchildren always knew to look for Grammy's signature puffball hair style when trying to spot the pair in the audience or stands.

The pair also loved to travel, especially seeing North America by car, with all the detours and misadventures that came with it. One such trip was Marvin's lifelong dream of driving to Alaska and back - made all the more exciting when Barbara realized she forgot her ID and the family had to ship it so she could get back into the country!

For all of their married life, Barbara and Marvin were members of the Episcopal Church in Rochester, first at Calvary Episcopal Church downtown. In 1961, they were proud to become one of the founding families of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, which they attended for the rest of their lives. Barbara had a heart for service, and St. Luke's provided many outlets for her compassion for others. She served on the Sunshine Committee, Altar Guild, Funeral Committee, Kid's Night Out planning, and as an usher,

nursery helper, choir member, and scripture reader. She helped start the prayer shawl ministry, and as a life-long lover of reading, she was also a fervent member of the St. Luke's book club.

In the last 8 years of her life, Barbara was involved in the Resounding Voices Chorus, which supports people with dementia, first as a volunteer, then as a participant when she herself developed dementia. Even through the loss of memory, there was nothing that brought out her true sunshine spirit and bestowed joy as much as music did.

Barbara is survived by her six children: Mary Lou Mikelsons (Ralfs) of Renton, WA, Paula Marie Breid (Ronald) of Oronoco, MN, Scott Phillips Heins (Kristine) of Lake Elmo, MN, Elizabeth Anne Heins of Rochester, MN, Patricia Joanne Myran (Scott) of Orr, MN, and Carl Phillips Heins of Panama City Beach, FL; as well as her 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Barbara is also survived by her siblings Carl Conway (Jane), Michael Barkley (Renae), and Patricia Bertsch, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom Barbara cherished as her own.

Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband and her parents.

Barbara will be remembered for her beautiful smile, open arms, and generous spirit.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30am on Saturday, April 18th at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Rochester, MN, with a visitation at Maxon Family Cremation & Life Celebrations from 9:30am to 10:30am prior to the service. Inurnment will follow the service in St. Luke's Columbarium.

Memorial donations may be made to Resounding Voices Chorus or Seasons Hospice, both of Rochester, MN.

Maxon Family Cremation is honored to be assisting the Heins family. "Clarity and simplicity are kindness to a grieving family" ~ Maxon Family