Brian Glen “Whitey” Heinlein, 59, Glidden

Brian Glen “Whitey” Heinlein, age 59, of Glidden, passed away on October 4, 2025, as the result of an automobile accident.

He was born on July 26, 1966, one day before his father’s birthday, to LeRoy and Imogene Heinlein of Glidden.

Brian grew up and attended Glidden public schools, graduating in 1985. While still in school and afterward, he worked for the Wisconsin Conservation Corps, making walking trails and maintaining campgrounds throughout the Chequamegon National Forest.

Over the years, Brian worked in various logging jobs and even spent one year operating a skidder in the mountains of Idaho. 

Whitey was always willing to lend a hand when asked, but hesitant about asking anyone for help.

He met and fell in love with Karen Gessert of Marshfeild, and they were married in 2000 on Valentine’s Day.  Brian was an outdoor person, hunted grouse, deer, and bear, with an occasional fishing trip to northern Minnesota with friends.

Brian and Karen loved to spend time at their hunting camp near Morse and bear camp near Winter.

They both had great love for dogs and spoiled them terribly.  His last two were bear hound that went everywhere with him.

In death Brian helped others by being a tissue doner.

His beloved wife Karen passed away in 2022, leaving him totally devastated, and things were never the same. 

He is survived by his mother, Imogene Heinlein of Glidden, his sister-in-law, Carol Heinlein of Glidden, his niece Maggie (Matt) Podrez of Crandon, and his nephew Evan Heinlein of Glidden.

He was preceded in death by his wife Karen, his father LeRoy, and his brother Kevin.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Birch Street Funeral service is assisting the family.