John Paul Hein

John Paul Hein began his treasured time of grace and his earthly pilgrimage in this world of sin on April 19, 1966, being born of faithful Christian parents, Paul and “Bertie” (Berthella nee Nollmeyer) Hein. By grace, he received the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit when baptized on May 15, 1966, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Spokane, WA, and was confirmed in His confessional Lutheran faith on June 22, 1980. John was raised on a wheat and barley farm near Reardan, WA, and was the oldest of six: Mark, Bryce, Brad, Kristal, and Aimee. After graduating from Reardan High School in 1984, John attended Washington State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering. In 1988, he accepted a position as a harvest equipment engineer at the Case IH combine factory in East Moline, IL, eventually becoming the head engineer on the hillside combine. But nagging at his heart for many years was the possibility of being a pastor who could serve fulfillment-longing souls with the treasure that he himself found in the Word of God. John ended up attending Immanuel Lutheran College and Seminary in Eau Claire, WI. At Immanuel, John met Janelle Marie Fleischer, the two making their vows of faithfulness before the LORD and to each other the following summer on June 27, 1992. The LORD richly blessed their marriage with Christian companionship as the Word of God guided them into the love and the forgiveness found in the grace of God, strengthening their bond through their 33 years together. Their true mutual joy was found in raising their six children: Christina, Abigail, Emily, David, Julianna, and Daniel.

After graduating from seminary, John served in the pastoral ministry at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN; Berea Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD; and Redemption Lutheran Church in Lynnwood, WA. In 2005, John accepted a call at Grace Lutheran Church in Fridley, MN, where he served until his retirement on February 1, 2026. In 2015, he also began serving as a part-time visiting missionary to Liberia, ministering to numerous souls and training many potential pastors.

John was diagnosed with thymic carcinoma in October of 2022. By grace, the LORD called His faithful servant to the Promised Land as John entered eternal glory at his passing on February 7, 2026, his time of grace here on earth being 59 years. His earthly remains will be laid to rest on a later date at Spring Creek Cemetery north of Reardan, WA, awaiting the Last Day of the world when our Lord, after the great resurrection on Judgment Day, will invite all of His believers to be eternally in His presence. John was preceded in death by his brother Brad Hein; father Paul Hein; grandparents Max and Lucille Nollmeyer, Evelyn Wirachowsky, and Eva Jackson; and uncle Ray Lillquist. He is survived by his wife Janelle of Fridley, MN; children: Christina (Tim) Schaser with grandchildren Emmalyn, Levi, and Felix of Edgerton, WI; Abigail (Nathan) Noeldner with grandchildren Isaac, Taya, and Titus of New Caney, TX; Emily (Ryan) Mueller with grandchild Wesley, of Manson, IA; David Hein of Greendale, WI; Julianna Hein of Fridley, MN; and Daniel (Hannah) Hein of Fridley, MN; siblings: Mark (Lori) Hein of Lake Stevens, WA; Bryce (Melissa) Hein of Issaquah, WA; Kristal (Nathan) Albrecht of Valleyford, WA; Aimee (Chris) Jundt of Spokane Valley, WA, along with many nieces, nephews, uncles, and aunts.

Memorial service is at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Berea Lutheran Church, 9308 Rich Valley Blvd Inver Grove Heights.  Visitation begins at 10.  

We thank the Lord for blessing us with John (Pastor Hein) and allowing him to touch our lives in the way that he did as a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, brother-in-Christ, and friend. Job 1:21: “The LORD gave, the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.”