Mary Ellen Heintz

Mary Ellen Junko Heintz, 83, passed away peacefully on May 26th, 2026. She was born on January 20th, 1943 to Mary Anistasia “Stacia” Britt and Frank Joseph Junko. She was the fifth of eight children.

Mary graduated as the salutatorian from Lawler High School in 1960. While attending, she was editor of the school newspaper and was a member of the basketball and softball teams. Mary continued her education at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Iowa City, Iowa. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in Spring of 1963. She enjoyed returning to summer class reunions, attending the most recent in 2025.

Mary met her future husband Robert “Bob” Heintz in 1964 while visiting her brother Gene, who lived next door to Bob’s parents.

Mary and Bob married on February 12th, 1966 in Lawler, Iowa. They moved to Spencer, Iowa in 1966 where Mary took a job with the Spencer Hospital. Over the next 4 decades, she utilized her RN degree, working as a floor nurse, in the emergency room, and the operating room.

While working at the hospital, Mary went back to school part time. She graduated in 1991 with a BA in accounting from Buena Vista University. After earning her degree, she passed the Certified Public Accountant exams. She worked for several years as a CPA in the Hospice Department of Spencer Hospital. Mary later decided to go back to her first love and returned to the nursing department.

Mary and Bob loved to travel with their children across the US. They enjoyed visits to the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and even a trip to Disneyland. After retiring from Spencer Hospital, Mary became a traveling RN, working in Minnesota and Arizona.

Mary and Bob vacationed on several cruises after they both retired. They traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, the Caribbean, and through the Panama Canal.

Mary was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and volunteered with the Catholic Daughters of America. She enjoyed playing canasta at the Spencer Senior Center with friends. Mary was also an avid reader, and would spend many hours on her Kindle.

Mary lost her beloved husband Bob of 59 years in March of 2025. She is survived by her son Brian (Shawna) of Kansas City, MO and her daughter Julie Heintz of Columbus, MS. Mary has two wonderful granddaughters’ Allyson Heintz and Haley Heintz who called their beloved grandmother Nana. She is survived by sisters Susan Navin of CT and Helen (Larry) Kuennen of AZ, and brother Paul (Leanne) Junko of IA along with multiple cousins and nieces and nephews. Preceding her death were her parents, sister Joanne Keister, and brothers Francis “Fritz” Junko, Eugene “Gene” Junko, and Dan Junko.

The visitation will take place at Sacred Heart Church on June 19th from 9:30-10:30am with a funeral service following. The burial will take place after the funeral at Riverside Cemetery. A luncheon at Sacred Heart Parish Hall will occur after the burial.