Pamela Lynn Heinze
Pamela Lynn Heinze age 67 of Newton, IA passed away on December 29th, 2024, at the
Comfort House located in Pella, IA.
Pam was born on a hot July 12, 1957 afternoon in Kirksville, MO to John and Joyce Hauser
Heinze. Her brother Corey was born 4 years later.
Pam was a happy little girl who enjoyed playing by herself even as a child. She didn’t like dolls,
but loved palomino horses. She once asked for a doll for Christmas, but only because the doll
was riding a horse.
Pam graduated from Clark County R-1 in 1975, and also, although unusual for the time, earned
several college credits by taking summer courses at Northeast Missouri State University. She
later earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from Northeast Missouri State University in 1978,
and her Master’s Degree and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Iowa in 1984. Her Dad
tells the story that the only thing he understood about her thesis was the acknowledgement in
which she honored her Mom and Dad.
Upon graduation, Pam started working for the VA Hospital in Iowa City, IA conducting a
research study on cholesterol. Pam worked in the field of Ag Chemistry for a short time, but in
1996 she started working for the United States Postal Service in Newton, IA until she retired in
2017.
Pam had an interest in many things. Pam competed in the senior Olympics in Columbia, MO as
a weightlifter, winning gold in her division. She was an over the road truck driver seeing the
nation. Pam was a member of the Astronomy Club in Newton, and spent lots of time at the
observatory.
In 2008, she purchased a Ford Mustang and started “drag racing” at the Iowa Speedway in
Newton. It didn’t take her long to update the Mustang to a Mustang Bullitt, and she very proudly shared the story of her Bullitt beating a Hemi at the speedway. She was a member of the Mustang Club, and really enjoyed the rallies she attended. Pam went from racing a Bullitt to
shooting bullets! She started attending gun and shooting classes where she became quite a
marksman.
She and a friend Dave spent many Thursday afternoons at the range. When asked about
anything in life that gave her joy besides cars and guns, she said that if she were asked to wear
a new or different pair of boots each day she would probably have enough to wear a different
pair for 90 days. She had socks and belts to compliment many of the boots.
Pam is survived by her father, John (Linda) Heinze of Kahoka, MO, a niece Tanzi of St. Louis,
MO, a special cousin Theresa Kerr Cohagan of Harrah, OK. Terri lived with Uncle John and
Aunt Joyce for 3 years while attending Clark County High School, and was more like a sister
than a cousin. Stepsisters and brothers, Julie (Lloyd) Brotherton, John (Lindy) Harmon, Jill
(Jared) McAfee and Jamie (Ardith) Harmon. She is also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins.
Pam was preceded in death by her mother Joyce in 2001 and her brother Corey in 2002.
A closing sentiment from her dad is “You were a gift from God the day you were born and now
you are going back to God with much love.A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 26, at First Baptist Church in Kahoka, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. and a meal afterward.
