John Glen Heiden

John Glen Heiden

Denison

John Glen Heiden was born on February 3, 1963, in Denison, Iowa, the son of Glen and Edna Eileen (Griffin) Heiden. He was the youngest of five siblings. After the passing of his father in 1971, John and his mother shared a close, special bond. He was baptized and later confirmed at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. John continued his education at Western Iowa Tech Community College and Iowa State University.

After moving to Boise, Idaho, John met the love of his life and best friend, Shauna. They were married on August 6, 1988, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Boise. Together, they were blessed with three children: Sarah, Griffin, and Conor. In 1991, the family returned to Denison to be closer to John’s family, especially his mother, Eileen.

John discovered his passion for education when he was invited to help establish a shared autobody program between Denison High School and Western Iowa Tech. He found great fulfillment in mentoring students who shared his interests, guiding them to succeed in the classroom and beyond. Later in his career, John had the opportunity to combine his love for golf with his teaching. As the boys' golf coach, he had the privilege of coaching both of his sons. Over the course of 31 years of teaching and 18 years of coaching, John left a lasting, positive impact on countless students.

John had a deep passion for motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidson, and loved taking motorcycle rides with friends and family, both locally and on trips across the country. The family enjoyed many vacations together, traveling from coast to coast in recent years and creating lasting memories along the way. John also found joy in golfing with friends, his children, and his nephews, making countless memories on the course. For him, deer hunting was as much about reconnecting with family and friends as it was about the hunt itself. Above all, John cherished any moment that allowed him to laugh and share time with those he loved.

Throughout their marriage, John’s bond with his wife, Shauna, grew even deeper. Their relationship was a source of strength and unwavering support, with Shauna always by his side, providing love and care. Their connection became a beautiful testament to the power of love, partnership, and devotion.

John passed away peacefully on December 10, 2024, surrounded by family, at the age of 61 years, 10 months, and 7 days.

John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Shauna Heiden of Denison; daughter, Sarah Heiden of Des Moines; sons: Griffin Heiden of Denison, and Conor Heiden (Molly Urness) of Waukee; siblings: William (June) Heiden of Grimes, Jerry (Jean) Heiden of Denison, Patricia Heiden (Bill Waldie) of Iowa City, and Jay (Kim) Heiden of Denison; aunt, Theresa Rohwer of Cleveland, Ohio; Idaho family; many nieces, nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be directed to the family, who plan to establish a scholarship in career and technical education fields in John’s memory.