Earl Ardell Van Heen, Jr., 74, of Grand Forks, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, August 12, 2021 of a heart attack while fishing

on his pontoon on Cass Lake, MN doing what he loved. He had just landed his last fish...a 21 inch walleye. The fish was still in the net with

the hook still in its mouth and Earl was sitting in the captain's chair when the angels called him to his heavenly home.

Earl was born January 3, 1947 in Grand Forks to Earl Ardell Van Heen, Sr. and Solveig "Sally" Gustafson.

He was baptized on May 11, 1947 at United Lutheran Church and was Confirmed at United Lutheran Church on September

30, 1962. Earl grew up in Grand Forks and attended Grand Forks schools through grade 11 when the family moved to Valley City where

he graduated from High School in 1964.

He was a member of University Lutheran Church for many years. He talked so highly of our amazing Pastor Tom and loved him

and the church so much.

He served our country in the United States Air Force from June, 1965 until June 1969. His time was spent in Germany, Spain and Scott

AFB in Illinois.

After the military he moved back to Grand Forks for a short time. He then moved to Denver, Colorado for a few years working for

Honeywell, Inc. Earl then moved back to Grand Forks when he started a business called Educational Installation, Inc. installing school and

auditorium equipment for Colborn's School Supply of Grand Forks. His first job was installing all the seats in Chester Fritz which remain today!

After Colborn's closed he built a building on Gateway Drive and in 1978 opened a fishing and archery store, Dakota Sportsman which

he and Helen along with their boys, Brett and Kris, operated until they closed the store in 1990. He then went to work for Menards for

a few years and then started Earl's Home Repair doing home repairs, etc. Earl then went to work for Marco out of Fargo repairing duplicators

and copy machines. He retired in 2009. Earl spent his retirement helping his wife run her business Helen's Creative Graphics. Earl

also enjoyed many years of hunting and fishing which he loved so much.

On May 16, 1981 he married Helen Hannah (Miller) Wifall in Grand Forks where they made their home. This is where they raised

their three children: Stepson's Brett (Stacey) Wifall and Kris (Charlene) Wifall, and Bethany Heen (John) Murphy. He loved his boys very

much and was so proud of them. He also took pride in teaching his son-in-law, John, many things. They had a special bond. His only

daughter, Bethy, held a very special place in his heart. He cherished every moment of guiding her thru life.

Health issues such as hip replacement, heart quad bypass, heart attack (in 2014 where Bethy saved his life giving us 7 extra years with

him), lung surgery and many others forced him to quit hunting but he was still able to do his fishing in the summer which he loved so much.

In 2002 Earl became an "Honorary DU" where Helen was housemother at the Delta Upsilon Fraternity for 17 years.

On April 27, 2018 they sold their much loved northend home where they had lived for over 40 years. They moved into a basement

apartment in a home owned by their daughter, Bethy and son-in-law John Murphy on the southend of Grand Forks. During this time

Bethy enjoyed having her Dad right by her side with endless questions on her various jobs and gardening projects among many other

things.

On May 15, 2021 Bethany planned an amazing 40th Anniversary Open House for them at the Italian Moon. Earl loved that! We had

so many family and friends attend. It was very beautiful.

Earl will be remembered as the man that could "do it all" ! He was a great "teacher" to so many of us. Above all he was truly a person

who lived for his family. He was kind, humble, generous and a very loving man. We will all miss him greatly.

Survivors include his loving wife of over 40 years, Helen of Grand Forks, Children Brett (Stacey)Wifall of Puyallup, WA, Kris

(Charlene) Wifall of Grand Forks and Bethany (John) Murphy of Grand Forks; Siblings, Richard Heen of Colorado Springs, CO, and

Rena (Amundson) DeSautel of Grand Forks; Grandchildren, Hannah Murphy, Riley Wifall, Cordelia Wifall, Earl Murphy, and Kennedy

Wifall. Sister-In-Law, Elizabeth Miller, Fergus Falls, MN, Brothers-In-Law: Bard (Lorrie) Miller, Pelican Rapids, MN, Joel (Carrie)

Miller, East Grand Forks, MN; Byron (Carrie) Miller, Erhard, MN and Robb (Brenda) Miller, Pelican Rapids, MN. Earl is also survived

by many nieces, nephews, cousins many family and friends who loved him so.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Heen Sr., mother Sally Amundson, step-father Roy Amundson, and brother Donn Heen.

Visitation: 5-7 pm Thursday, August 19, 2021 at University Lutheran Church with Prayer Service at 6:30.

Memorial Service: 11 am Friday, August 20, 2021 at University Lutheran Church, 2122 University Ave. Grand Forks, ND, 58203, with

Visitation 1 hour prior. Memorial Service will be live-streamed through University Lutheran Church.

Military Honors: Will be provided by the EGF American Legion Post 157, VFW Post 3817, and the US Air Force.