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Mr. Frank Heins passed away unexpectedly at home. 

Frank was born March 20, 1945, in Flagler, the middle child of Frank A. and Lenora M. Heins.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kit Carson.   

Frank attended Mount Pearl School until fourth grade, until it burned down.  He then attended Kit Carson School, graduating in the class of 1963.  He enjoyed playing marbles, and even participated in a state competition.  He also enjoyed playing football, basketball, and track while in school.  

After senior graduation Frank attended diesel mechanic trade school in St. Louis, Missouri.  While there, he enjoyed watching the Gateway Arch being built.  Upon returning home after graduating from diesel mechanics school, he began working for Willard Blankenbaker as farm help.  

In November 1965, Frank was drafted into the US Army.  While in the Army he was trained in Army Ranger school and then Supply School.  While in Ranger Training, he was offered to go to Officer Candidate School, but Frank rejected that offer since it would extend his service time.  Although his service was during the Vietnam War era, he only served in bases in the continental United States. He served at Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Ord, California; Fort Lenning, Virginia; and Fort Benning, Georgia.  After serving two years, he was honorably discharged.  He then found employment with Foley Caterpillar in Dodge City, Kansas.  

In the spring of 1969, Frank was able to rent some farmland and returned home to begin his new life as a farmer.  

Frank’s father died in January of 1970 before he was able to harvest his first bushel of wheat.  He then took on the responsibility of caring for his mother and helped raise his three minor siblings.  

Frank gave up his personal life to help so many others.  He farmed until he semi-retired at 65 years of age, but still was a vital partner helping run errands, continued to drive truck, tractor, combine, etc. for Doug.  He enjoyed mechanic work, building new things, attending farm auctions (obvious by looking around the home place) and attending antique tractor shows, going many times to Bird City, Kansas; Mount Pleasant, Iowa; and Rollag, Minnesota.   

If something interested him, Frank was going to find out as much as he could about it, such as learning how to build, make molds, and cast metal.  He actually built a small steam engine for his nephew in which he cast all the mechanical parts.  

Frank’s mind was always thinking of ways to do better and make life easier.  He thoroughly enjoyed his old computer given to him by Bruce Andersen.  This opened a whole new world to him, and he quickly learned about new farming websites such as Smokstak.  He would send old junk parts and accessories to foreign countries to help people in need.  He often laughed at how he taught the new Postmaster in Kit Carson how to ship overseas at the lowest price.  

Another area Frank enjoyed was gardening, and gave many of his produce to family and friends.  He always said “you need to feed those kids as they need a lot of groceries to grow up.” 

Frank was often referred to as a “personal banker” for the family, and wanted everyone to be on the “A Team,” meaning to lead a better life.  Yes, he spoke his mind and never sugar coated anything, but he would help anyone.  He was not raised rich or privileged, and no one gave him anything.  He had to work for everything he had, even if he had to run used equipment rather than having everything new.  

Frank was an active member of the Kit Carson Historical Society, always helping to keep the weeds mowed and sprayed.  He always sat for his Sunday afternoons in the museum when it was open, and accepted donations for the Pig in the Park luncheons. 

Frank is preceded in death by his parents, Frank A. and Lenora M. Heins; brother, George W. Heins; sisters, Faye M. Heins and Frances M. Stanfield; nephew, Weylin Stanfield; niece, Lucinda (Cindy) Merrill; and many aunts and uncles.

Frank is survived by his brother, Douglas W. Heins, Kit Carson; sisters, Wilma J. Rowe of Denver, Erna L. Dutton of Aurora, Dianna K. (Jim) Randel of Wild Horse, and Karla (Rex) Ball of Kit Carson; along with numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. 

He was a very giving man that will be missed by so many.

Services will be held March 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Kit Carson, with burial to follow at the Kit Carson Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kit Carson Historical Society or the Trinity Lutheran Church in care of the Eastern Colorado Bank, PO Box 175, Kit Carson, CO  80825.  

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Cheyenne Wells.