WELCOME - Richard Clark Hein, 85, of Gold Canyon, AZ, formerly of Welcome, MN, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, after a battle with Lewy body dementia.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Richard on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center - Welcome (214 N Dugan Street, Welcome, MN 56181) with Ean Sinn as the funeral celebrant. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

In honor of Richard’s love for the MN Twins, please wear your gear to his service and visitation!

The Sinn Family Celebration of Life Center of Trimont, Sherburn, and Welcome is assisting the family with arrangements. If you would like to leave a message of sympathy for Richard’s family, you may do so at his obituary page at www.sinnfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Dollars for Scholars/Richard Hein Agriculture Scholarship.

Richard was born on September 21, 1940, in Fairmont, MN, to William and Rosemary (Keith) Hein. Richard shared his birthday with his mom, Rosemary, and later, his son Paul, was also born on that same special day. Richard grew up in rural Welcome, MN where he graduated from Welcome High School, class of 1958. Richard served in the Army National Guard, was a Welcome School District school board member, and a faithful member of the Fairmont United Methodist Church. Richard was united in marriage with Gloria Jones on November 19, 1964.

Farming was Richard's passion. He was proud to farm alongside his father, who was not only his business partner but also his best friend. The family’s farming legacy began in Welcome, MN more than 130 years ago when Richard’s grandfather first broke dirt using horses. Today, that same land continues to be farmed by his son, Paul, carrying on a tradition that meant so much to Richard.

While the farm was his life’s work, his greatest joy was his family-especially his grandchildren. Whether they were riding in the tractor, taking Sunday drives checking on his straight corn rows, harvesting in the fall, playing card games, cheering on the Minnesota Twins together, or spending time in the kitchen baking cookies and making his famous potato salad, those simple moments became some of his most cherished memories. Summer family vacations typically had an agricultural twist and consisted of annual road trips to the National Soybean Convention.

During winters and following retirement, Richard and Gloria spent their time in Gold Canyon, Arizona, where they enjoyed the sunshine and formed many treasured friendships. The friends they met there enriched their lives with laughter and many cherished memories.

Richard is preceded in death by his son, James; his parents, William and Rosemary Hein; and his brothers, Keith and Robert Hein.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 61 years, Gloria Hein, of Mesa Arizona; his son, Paul Hein of Welcome, MN; daughter, Heather (Matt) Swenson of Valley Springs, SD; beloved grandchildren, Sydnee (Jake) Colestock, Drake, Trevor, Cole, and Kyle Swenson, Savannah and Stella Hein; brother, Bill Jr. (Maggie) Hein of Minnesota; and sister, Patricia Hein of Virginia; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and dear friends.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff at Sky Vista in Mesa, AZ for the love, kindness, and care they provided to Richard throughout his journey. Their unwavering support brought comfort not only to Richard but also to his entire family.