Aletha Esther Hein

Aletha Esther Neuman Hein was born in Waconia, MN on October 24, 1924 to Esther and Walter Neuman. She attended first grade there until the family moved to Mayer when she was seven and she attended Mayer Lutheran School for seven years there. This is where she met her future husband Frederick Hein. They attended Waconia High School and graduated in 1942. Aletha worked in Minneapolis until she and Frederick married on July 24, 1947. They raised a family of five children and lived in various locations in Minnesota as Fred’s job demanded. They also lived in Brussels, Belgium for a couple of years. Following the return back to the farm in New Prague they moved to Detroit Lakes in 1976, and this is where they remained. They were married for 63 years until Fred’s death on November 3, 2010. Aletha passed away on August 2, 2024.

Aletha’s life was devoted to rearing their children; being an active member in the church; doing volunteer work; and enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, needlepoint, and knitting. She was a dedicated volunteer throughout many years of her life, volunteering in nursing homes in hair care and hospice support. She enjoyed her participation in Homemaker's Club and the 4-H in New Prague while the kids were young. Aletha was an active member of ELCA Circle.

She quilted with the Trinity Lutheran Church quilters for many years making quilts that were donated to Lutheran World Relief and gifted to graduate members of Trinity, confirmands, her family members, along with anyone else who needed a warm quilted hug. She rolled bandages for Global Health Ministries as a project to “keep her hands and mind busy” in the years her eyesight gradually failed. 

She loved to read and to keep up with current events in the world. She listened to audiobooks and to the TV until the end and “Alexa” was her best companion – keeping her informed about everything from the time of day, to the weather; listening to music and musicals that came to mind; and dialing her phone to catch up with friends and family.

She considered it a wonderful accomplishment to have raised five children - Rick, Rita, Mary, Nancy, and Bill. 

Her wish was to have all of her children, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, be upstanding citizens, with a love of God and family. In that order, per Aletha!

Aletha is survived by Rick Hein (Ann), Rita Falstad (Bob), Mary Clinton (Tom decd.), Nancy Nordhagen (Larry), and Bill Hein; her seven grandchildren, Chris & Dawn Formo, Tamhas Clinton (Deb) & Moria Clinton (Corey Shipler), Alexander Nordhagen (Sara) & Kathryn Nordhagen, and Severina Hein; and four great-grandchildren, Cormac Clinton, and Elijah, Malachi & Lillian Nordhagen.

Aletha’s Celebration of Life will be held on what would have been her 100th birthday on 10-24-2024. Interment will take place on 10-25-2024 at Fort Snelling National Cemetery to be laid to rest alongside her husband, Fred.

Please contact a family member for more details about her services if you wish.