Austin N. Heise

Austin Newell Heise graduated from his earthly home to his eternal home in heaven at the age of 96, culminating a full life characterized by faith, excellence, generosity and a deep love for his family and farming.

He was born March 24, 1930 to Arthur and Mary Heise at the family farm near Hamlin, Kansas. He attended the one-room Pleasant Hill School on nearby farmland through eighth grade, then attended Hamlin High School for four years. During his junior year of high school, Austin and his father were part of a five-week volunteer group through Church of the Brethren that went by boat to Danzig, Poland with horses that were being sent to provide relief to war-torn Europe.

Austin attended Upland (CA) College for four years, graduating with a degree in Biology. While at Upland, he met a classmate from Canada, Rhoda Sider, starting a lifelong love story. The two were married August 15, 1951 near Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. They returned to California to finish college requirements before moving to Kansas to begin his career as a farmer in May 1952.

Pleasant Hill Farm was located in Brown County, Kansas on land purchased by Austin’s great-grandfather in 1872. As a fourth-generation Heise farmer on this farmstead, Austin took great joy in the heritage of the land and brought many improvements and innovations during his 48 years of farming. He enjoyed crop production, seeing each year as a challenge for the next year. He received awards for his soil conservation practices and served nine years on the Brown County Soil Conservation Board. He built a very successful farming business and, most importantly, the Heise Farm became the soul of his family for many years – a special place for children, grandchildren and friends who visited that created lasting memories for all. Among his favorite times were bringing the farm to life for his grandkids with hayrides, four-wheelers, games, barn activities, fishing, fireworks and more.

Austin retired from farming in 1999 and moved to Leawood in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He enjoyed living with a “change of pace” in lifestyle. He passionately followed the farm work via technology and stayed actively involved in the grain markets and farming practices. He also enjoyed having a small garden, even bringing soil from the farm to add to the existing soil. He volunteered at Menorah Hospital at the information desk several mornings a week for over 10 years.

Grateful for the Christian influence of his parents, a strong Bible-focused faith was at the center of Austin’s life. He accepted Christ at age 12 during a special meeting at Pleasant Hill Brethren in Christ Church located on the original Heise land. He was a pillar for that rural church for many years before it closed in 1977. He and Rhoda then attended the Congregational Church, which later became Northridge Church, in Sabetha, where he served on the church board. After moving to Leawood, he attended Hillcrest Covenant Church and then College Church of the Nazarene since December 2016. He was a member of Gideons International and held several state and local offices. He also participated in several missions trips, including Haiti, New Mexico and Spain.

Austin is survived by his wife Rhoda, who together would have celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary this August; children: Janette (Guy) Rupert, Linda (Laird) Gemberling and Gary (Melinda) Heise; grandchildren: Miranda (Tyler) Heise Parker, Melissa (Austin) Harms, Carissa Heise, Liana (Nick) Kimball, Travis (Kaylee) Heise, Matt Rupert and Larissa (Josè) Darias; great-grandchildren: Jack, Taylor, Quinn and Charlie Harms, Leland Nailor, Javier and Lucia Darias, Tatum and Belle Heise, Drake Parker and step-granddaughter Jenny Matz. The oldest of four siblings, Austin is also survived by brother Eugene (Harriet) Heise, sister Eileen Gregg and was preceded in death by brother Duane (Dianne) Heise.

Memorial Services will be held Saturday, June 20, 2026 at the College Church (Garrett Chapel) in Olathe, Kansas. A short visitation period starts at 10:00am with the service beginning at 10:30am. Following the service, lunch will be provided and all in attendance are welcome. The interment will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery on the farm in Brown County.

To honor Austin’s commitment to church and God’s Word, memorial donations may be given to The Gideons International or the College Church Mercy Project.

The Gideons International                                                             College Church of the Nazarene

Johnson County South                                                                  Mercy Project

PO Box 3054                                                                                 2020 E. Sheridan St.

Olathe, KS 66062                                                                          Olathe, KS 66062

https://gideons.org/donate                                                             https://collegechurch.com/bemercy/