Guillermina "Gerri" Heinrich

Guillermina "Gerri" Heinrich Gerri fell asleep in the Lord on February 19, 2026, full of days, at the age of 93, in her home in Brooklyn Park, MN, surrounded by her loving family. She had a vibrant, kind spirit with a great sense of humor that made everyone she met feel welcomed and loved. Born in Málaga, Santander, Colombia, on January 17, 1933, to Lino Tapias Velasco and Guillermina Guarín de Tapias (née Guarín Blanco), she was the youngest of 10 children. Her family later moved to Cúcuta, Colombia. She studied at Colegio Adventista Icolven in Medellín, Colombia, and spent time as a successful colporter in Venezuela and Colombia. She learned the family trade of tailoring exceptionally well, made her own clothes, and was always beautifully dressed. Gerri was an independent Latina who came to live with friends in the U.S.A. in the 1960s, coincidentally arriving the day John F. Kennedy was shot. She shared that it scared her and made her think about going right back to Colombia, but she ultimately decided to stay. Gerri lived in Minnesota for the majority of her life. Her superior tailoring skills landed her a job at Dayton's Oval Room, a designer clothing store. Her favorite job was at Cedric's clothing store, where she again used her tailoring skills on high-end designer clothing. She also made many clothes for her children. In 1968, she married John Heinrich. Though this relationship was not permanent, together they had four children, Betty, Jolina, Gloria, and John David, and remained in touch throughout their lives. An exceptionally devoted mother, Gerri dedicated her children to God and worked tirelessly for them. Her joy, love, and forgiveness of her children and grandchildren were enduring, and she prayed for them daily. She especially cherished fun family holidays spent with Tom and Linda Leanger and their boys, Dave and Steve, as well as many treasured memories with family friends Darlene and Leo, Roger and Sylvia, and their children. Gerri also enjoyed many happy memories with her children at Minnesota Campmeeting and North Star Camp. Some of her favorite activities were spending time with her grandchildren, walking, and being outdoors. As a most faithful believer in Christ, Gerri constantly shared her faith with her family and anyone she met. She was a true prayer warrior who showed her love to everyone. A lifelong member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she volunteered in many capacities, including as a church greeter, a deaconess, and in prison ministries. Her first membership was at La Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día en Málaga, Santander, Colombia, and her last membership was at Pathways Adventist Church, a church plant she helped start in Osseo, MN, to which she was devoted. Her greatest desire was to see all her loved ones and friends in heaven-Más allá del sol. Gerri was preceded in death by her parents, Lino Tapias Velasco and Guillermina Guarín de Tapias (née Guarín Blanco), and her brothers (sisters-in-law), Alfonso (Luisa), Fernando (Alcira), Lulio (Inés), Alberto, Luis Martín, Josué, and Lino, and her sisters (brother-in-law), Rosalba and Florelva (Campo Elías). She is survived by her daughter, Betty (Magdiel Tapias) Tapias-Heinrich and grandchildren, Joy Vannezza Tapias, Azriel (Tina) Tapias Marin and great-grandchildren Azena and Ezra, Magdiel (Vanessa Tapias-Ressen) Tapias, Daniel Tapias; daughter, Jolina (Rafael) Villamizar and grandchildren, Zachary (Chloe) Heinrich, Rafael Villamizar, and Nicholas Villamizar; daughter Gloria (Larry) Olson, and grandchildren, Nathan (Abby) Olson and great-grandchildren Ellie and Kinsley, Taylor (Jacob) Jones, Amanda (Cole) Nash, and Michael Olson; and son, John (Kimberly) Heinrich, and grandchildren Matthew Heinrich and Abigail Heinrich; sister-in-law Luz Eddy Arango de Tapias; very special friends, Gladys, Linda, Jean, Judy, Tricia, Lynette, Barb, Joyce, Natalya, Luba and many more friends and extended family members who will miss her dearly. The funeral service will be on Friday, February 27, at noon, with a one-hour visitation prior to the service at Pathways Adventist Church (in the Osseo United Methodist Church building), 16 Second Avenue SE, Osseo, MN 55369. A luncheon will follow the service, and interment will be after the luncheon at the Washburn-McGreavy Glen Haven Cemetery, 5125 West Broadway, Crystal, MN 55429.

Tributes

Guillermina "Gerri" Heinrich

January 17, 1933 - February 19, 2026

Tributes

Guillermina "Gerri" Heinrich

January 17, 1933 - February 19, 2026

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