IN MEMORY OF
DONALD EUGENE HEINRICHS
1929 — 2020
Donald Eugene Heinrichs was born October 5, 1929 in Bakersfield, CA, and passed from this life to be with Jesus, April 27, 2020 in Missoula, MT.
The Early Years
The son of Albert Jacob Heinrichs and Irene Helen Kopper, Don was proud of growing up in the Bakersfield/Fresno CA area in a Mennonite Brethren family. There he learned to love God genuinely, developed a deep love of music as he sang with his brother and sister in church, and spent time with his very large extended family. There, he learned to read music and sing in four-part harmony even as a young child. He also learned to read and write in German and Plautdietsch (Mennonite Low German) as these were the languages of his heritage. Growing up with a deep faith in God, Don developed a relationship with Jesus Christ as his personal savior at a young age. That faith was evident in everything he did and every life he touched.
Education
Don began his education in the Bakersfield area and later, the family moved to Fresno, where he graduated from Fresno High School class of 1947. As a member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), Don planned to be a farmer until he was called into the ministry in late high school. He was a hard worker from a young age, even paying his Dad’s way through college. During their time in Fresno, the family transitioned into the Pentecostal movement where they attended the Full Gospel Tabernacle, with CM Ward as pastor. Don loved music and sang in community groups, church choirs, quartets, and in a trio with his sister, Norma and his brother Howard.
He attended Southern California Bible College, now known as Vanguard University, first on the Pasadena campus and then in Costa Mesa, CA, where he sang in the choir under the direction of Ralph Carmichael, and later under Gaylord Atwell. In 1953 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music. To put himself through college, he built wooden boxes for grapes. He stood in the 110°F temperature in the fields outside Bakersfield stapling boxes together piece by piece. And since he was paid per box completed, he became very fast and efficient, making as many as 5000 boxes a day. Following graduation, Don went on a multi-state and multi-province choir tour, where he was the bus driver and member of the choir and quartet along with Armond Morales (later of the Imperials). It was during this tour, under the urging of Armond, that he began dating Marian Mathisen in Chicago, IL. He proposed nine days later, on the organ bench of Calvary Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Marian returned to California to finish college while Don when back to Winnipeg to begin his career in music ministry. They married on February 6, 1954 and have been gloriously married for 66 years.
Career and Family
Always a team, Don and Marian began sharing the love of Jesus together in San Fernando, CA, as music and youth ministers. They next ministered in Eugene, Oregon where they were music and youth pastors and where Marian was director of the kindergarten.
Marian brought Don to God’s Country, Montana, in 1955 when their ministry then took them to Butte, MT, where they were music and youth pastors at the Assembly of God. This is where they welcomed the birth of their first son, Randy in 1956. Don fell in love with Montana. Marian’s dad taught him to hunt outside of Whitehall. Don enjoyed hunting (but not fishing) but loved the time he got to spend with George Mathisen (his father-in-law) out in the hills. He loved to drive out in the mountains and saw any road, maintained or not, as one to be explored. With four-wheel drive and a winch (and he often needed both), he set out on many adventures. When family from California or elsewhere came to visit, out into the wilderness he would go to take them on an excursion in the country he loved so much.
Robby joined the family in 1958 after they moved to Great Falls, MT, to be on staff at Central Assembly of God as Music Ministers. The choir performed many special programs throughout the year. There in Great Falls, Don made many dear friends to whom he remained close throughout his life.
A new adventure awaited when they were called to work on staff at North Highland Assembly of God in Columbus, GA. The choir there traveled to and performed in churches in neighboring cities and states. During their tenure in Georgia, their first daughter, Dana was born.
Upon their return to Montana, they settled in Billings where they ministered at Billing First Assembly of God, traveling with the King’s Koral-Aires youth choir inside and outside Montana, nearby states and Canada each summer, and even recording an album. Their youngest, Jana, arrived in 1962.
They returned to Columbus, GA, to continue their ministry at North Highland, but in 1966, their ministry brought them to First Assembly of God (now Christian Life Center) in Missoula, MT. There Don directed the Inspirationals choir, accompanied by Marian, and produced a weekly television program called the Hour of Inspiration. The Inspirationals traveled to and performed throughout Montana and most of the Western States and Canada. Don also briefly attended the University of Montana.
Called to be a full-time senior pastor, Don moved his family to Anaconda, MT, and ministered at the Anaconda Assembly of God where he oversaw the building of a new sanctuary. Also, in Anaconda Don and Marian began a community chorale which performed annually at Christmas and Easter. While there, he also helped plant a church in the rural community of Basin, MT.
Other Montana pastorates include Hamilton Assembly of God where they developed a youth choir and produced the monthly television special “Mountain Echoes.” In 1975 Don and Marian became pastors to Whitefish Assembly of God where they remained for 17 years. They were very active in the community where they developed the Community Chorale, performing at Christmas and Easter each year.
A burden was placed on their heart to establish a building for the Assembly of God church in Marian’s hometown of Whitehall, MT, in 1992, which they did until their retirement in 1995.
Retirement
During their retirement they traveled in their motorhome all over the US and ministered in various churches along the way. They helped establish a church in the California desert community known as the Slabs, assisted the pastor in a church in Salton City, CA and led Hymn Sings at various RV resorts. When back in Montana, they supported several rural churches as interim pastors, including at Cornerstone Assembly, a now thriving congregation in St. Ignatius, and with their musical talents at Canyon Community Church, Coram. They loved spending time at Glacier Bible Camp and West of 60s Camp in Hungry Horse, and Fruitland Bible Camp in Fruitland, WA where they ministered in music.
Don and Marian eventually moved to Missoula in 2011, where they became active in the Golden Heirs and on the worship team at Christian Life Center well into their 80s. Don continued to sing bass several Sundays a month beyond his 90th birthday.
Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Pastor,
Choir Director, Worship Leader, Friend, Mentor
Don loved to connect with people. He would meet someone wherever he went, engage in conversation, and within a short time would discover that they knew the same person or that they were somehow related. There were way fewer than six degrees of separation where Don was concerned. This happened anywhere and everywhere. And he never wanted to leave a conversation without sharing what God had done for him and how a personal relationship with God could change your life for the better.
Their home was always open to anyone, whether a 50-member youth group taking over the kitchen and making impromptu hamburgers or grilled cheese on Sunday evening or crowds of folks hanging out in their cabin at Glacier Bible Camp to fellowship and play games.
Always a great lover of music, Don believed that anyone could learn to read music and sing, no matter how tone-deaf. He and Marian spent hours teaching anyone who wanted to learn to sing, harmonize and worship the Lord in song. No matter what age, he thought of any of his choir members as his “kids.”
Don taught his children to love God, encouraged them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, and desired that they would be filled with the Holy Spirit. He wanted their lives to show God’s love and presence in all that they did. A favorite saying as they left the house with a group of friends was, “Remember who you belong to.” He was reminding them that firstly we belonged to God, and secondly, they belonged to him and mom. He wanted them to think before doing something stupid.
When asked how he was doing, Don would teasingly reply, “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken.”
Blessed with an abundance of great-grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Don took to calling them all (boy or girl) “George.”
Donald is survived by the love of his life and wife, Marian Joyce Mathisen Heinrichs, four children: Randy (and Diana) Heinrichs (Missoula, MT), Robby (and Carol) Heinrichs (Kalispell, MT), Dana (and Stan) Griffin (Flower Mound, TX) and Jana (and David) Baker (Deer Lodge, MT); eleven grandchildren: Jenessa Stewart, Justin Heinrichs, Joelle Hunsaker, Rachael Rowe, Kayla Griffin, Jaclyn Baker, Lindzey Griffin, Jordan Friend, Bradley Heinrichs, Jeffrey Heinrichs, Jaime Basher; and sixteen great-grandchildren and one on the way. Donald was the oldest of three siblings (his sister, Norma Hunt of Hacienda Heights, CA, and his brother, Howard of Warminster, PA).
Don also leaves behind a legacy of “kids” other than his own that love Jesus—many of whom have entered full-time ministry in part because of his mentorship and encouragement. These include, but are by no means limited to those of you who have shared this with the family, including, T. Ray Rachels, Dick and Jan Vandeventer, Chuck and Sandi (big sis) Lanes, Dan Mielke, and Joel Niles.
If Don was instrumental in your decision to receive the life of Christ or to enter full-time ministry, please help us honor his legacy by sharing your testimony with Marian and the family. If you like, you can add your testimony or tribute to this website:
Don also had a heart missions, whether at home or abroad and supported missionaries and ministries around the world. He especially carried a deep burden for rural churches and spent many months during retirement as interim pastor to rural congregations. If you would like to honor Don’s legacy, a fund to help Montana’s rural churches has been set up in his name and you can contribute to it here:
Donald E Heinrichs Memorial Rural Church Fund
c/o Montana Ministry Network
re: Rural Church Fund
2147 Overland Ave, Suite 100
Billings, MT 59102
or give online at:
www.montanaministrysnetwork.com
First go to GIVE and then choose “Other” and enter “Heinrichs Memorial”
There will be a Celebration of His Life at 2:00 PM on Saturday July 11, 2020 at the Christian Life Center located at 3801 S Russel St Missoula, Montana 59801. The church phone number is (406) 542-0353. There will be a time of fellowship following the service. (Guidelines from the health department will be followed.)
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Donald.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 PM
Saturday July 11, 2020
Christian Life Center
3801 S Russel St
Missoula, Montana 59801
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 PM
Saturday July 11, 2020
Christian Life Center
3801 S Russel St
Missoula, Montana 59801
Share
Roni Patrick says
What a wonderful obituary. I did not know all about his life. I will miss seeing him. My love and prayers to the family.
Ruth Popiel says
My my, what an amazing life and career! As a child growing up at First Assembly in Missoula, I have such fond memories of being in the Inspirationals lead by Don and Marian but I never knew the extent of their ministry until now. I really enjoyed the last Inspirationals get together and visiting with both Don and Marian and all the others.
I am so sorry for your loss, Marian, but one day soon, we’ll all be singing together again before our Heavenly Father and I know Don will be leading our choir!
Bud Brown says
Don – you and Marian have been DEAR friends for most of my adult life – and I have admired you
from afar, and treasure many memories of the visits we’ve had over the last 50 plus years. I am
sorrowing at your passing; but not as those “who have no hope” – I have prayed daily for you two
ever since we had that week-end revival in White Hall. Marian – you will be on my daily prayer list.
I love you – and anticipate seeing you IN HIS PRESENCE.
Mary(Lilly) (Breitzman)(Peterson) says
I remember Don and Marian when they were in Butte. I couldn’t wait to be old enough to be in the choir and by the time I was they were leaving. I was so disappointed. Marian was instrumental in my being able to learn to play the piano by ear (I already knew how to play by note). I will always be thankful for that. I will always remember your beautiful voices and you dedication to the Lord. Don you will be missed by all who knew and loved. Marian may the peace of the Lord rest upon you and the family. Christian love and prayers.
Joni Price says
Congratulations Don and Mariam and deepest heartfelt thanks for your years of ministry and serving our Lord and others. I remember well being a part of the choir in Butte and singing for my first time the Halleljah chorus from Handels Messiah. Don really challenged us and we were all the better for it. I say congratulations because he has graduated to the courts of heaven where we will be singing His praise forever more. Won’t it be wonderful there? My dear sister Donna went to be in that heavenly choir the 6th of April also.
sandi johanesen says
My love and prayers to Marian and all the family. I have such wonderful memories of being in the choir, and all the fun times we all had together! I was truly blessed to have had that time. God bless you and comfort you.
Joel Niles says
Growing up in Whitefish Assembly, Pastor Don’s love for missions was passed on to those in his congregations. Almost two years ago was sharing my call to missions at a Sectional Pastors meeting in Stevensville, MT. Pastor Don and Marian were there and I shared how I received my call to missions when I was 4 or 5 years old under their ministry in Whitefish. When the meeting was finished Pastor Don told me that for years the profits from his cleaning business was what made it possible to bring so many missionaries to the church. I was born in 1986 and I remember missionary after missionary which instilled in me the need to reach the world. I was called into missions at such an early age because Pastor Don and Marian were personally faithful in supporting missions and they lead by example, their work helped make fertile soil for the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart.
Aleta Miller says
Don—and Marian, thank you thank you for pouring into my life as a teenager. Your Godly instruction and true caring helped shape my life as a Christian. What an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to be in one of your many choirs and learn how to minister God’s love for people through music. We were taught how to pray with people and lead them to salvation..we were taught to care and pray for one another..we were taught how to work hard (really hard) to achieve goals and by your example we were taught what living a God centered life has looked like..what an example to so many you have been! Thank you again..love you both and I know Don’s just getting that Heavenly choir up to par!
Norma Irene Hunt says
As a teenager and the only girl in the family my big brother, Don was designated by my father to be my guardian when I was out with the church youth group. You see I was not allowed to date until age 18 (not even an innocent ride to a drive-in for a hamburger after choir practice). Later we were all in college choir together – both my older and my younger brother. Don was the bus driver chaperone on tours and twice he left me stranded in a strange city without any money and we didn’t have cell phones in those days. The first time was in an area near San Francisco where our hostess for the night didn’t provide a ride back to church the next morning and she didn’t have a phone. Using a public phone at the end of the street we called the church office to no avail. The next time was in New York where I went to stay with a former roommate. We took the bus the next morning to meet the choir where we disembarked the night before not knowing the bus was loading around the block outside the high fence. Fortunately my friend had a list of concerts and they took me to the next venue. Like all kids we had our moments but we loved each other and after he and Marian married we had many good times as families together either in Montana, Hacienda Heights or their motor home at the Slabs. We actually started singing together as a trio when we lived on the farm outside of Bakersfield. Don was 12. I was 10 and Howard was 8. We sang without accompaniment as Dad’s choir on assignment when he was in college, on the radio out of Wasco, CA, and for church services. It was always music in our family! Even tho’ we can no longer travel to MT or PA where Howard now lives, we often think and pray for them and miss the fellowship. Marian and family: We love you and miss you.
Laverne Miller says
What a special person Don was and I feel so blessed to have known him and enjoyed the honor of singing with him.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am missing our time together.
Marie Lorenzen Hatton says
Wonderful.I dont know how this came up on my phone maybe Providence. A life well lived. A Tree by a River…His testimony was his life.
Gloria Peppin says
I just came across this and was saddened to learn of Don’s passing. I remember all the fun times we had in choir and while touring as a choir while he and Marian were at Billings Assembly of God church . What a blessing they both were. Lots of happy memories. I know we will all meet again and sing again with our Lord and Savior. Gloria Peppin
denia herrera says
I am writing to you today to offer a donation of a Kawai E-300 upright
Piano, which belonged to my late husband. He was a great lover of
music, and this piano was one of his most prized possessions. After
his passing, I wanted to find a loving home, a church or a music
school for the instrument where it could be appreciated and played for
years to come.
I would be honored to donate the piano to your organization, and I
hope that it will bring joy and inspiration to those who play it.
Please let me know if you are interested in accepting the donation,
and we can arrange for the piano to be delivered to its new home.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Denia.