Family-Owned Business Celebrates 45-Year Anniversary

A local family-owned business just celebrated its 45th anniversary of serving Holden and surrounding communities.

Heiman True Value has catered to the public for more than four decades and still offers the same courteous customer service and quality merchandise they started out with.

Owned by the Heiman family since the ‘70s, the business seeks to serve their patrons efficiently in a friendly, down-home manner, offering a wide variety of farm, home, lawn and pet products and services.

In 1975, Jerome and Sue Heiman bought the feed and grain business from Jerome’s brother Ted. They relocated their family to Holden from Montrose.

The Heimans had owned and operated an elevator in Montrose for 10 years and sold it when the Holden opportunity arose.

Jerome and Sue are parents of five children – twins – David and Diane, Denise, Debbie and Danny. The kids all grew up around the elevator business.

The feed and seed business was in Jerome’s blood, since his family has always been in this type of business as their livelihoods. It was his passion and fervent desire to be able to offer needed products and services to neighbors and friends, and Sue feels the same way.

Sadly, Jerome passed away in 2015, but his vision of Heimans continues and is carried on by family members still running the business he and Sue built.

Their daughter Diane and her husband Mark Klossen own the business now, along with Sue, who retired in 2017.

According to Diane, Jerome’s vision was to provide services and needs of the community, to the best of his ability.

Mark and Diane carry on his philosophy and also care deeply about their customers, just as Jerome and Sue did for so many years.

Over the years, the family has added needed items and services, such as the hardware store in 1983. They added the full–service lumberyard in 1998.

Again, it was to fill a need in the community because they often had customers coming in asking for lumber.
In 2011, the Heimans suffered a fire in the old elevator, which was well over 100 years old. A new feed mill and elevator were built and opened in 2012.

Heiman True Value currently offers a wide variety of products and services, including custom bagged and delivered feed, along with a large inventory of floor-stocked feeds, pet food and supplies, the full-line lumberyard, they carry an extensive inventory in plumbing, electrical and hardware, paint and sundries, lawn and garden, and Stihl outdoor power tools, housewares, gifts and home décor, and workwear and footwear.

Services at Heimans include – a small engine repair shop, propane tank refill, key cutting, and screen and glass repair and delivery.

Diane spoke of community support and their loyal customers, saying, “Mom and Dad always instilled in me and my family to give back to a community that supports you.” It’s a lesson she’s never forgotten.

Growing up, Diane said she doesn’t ever remember thinking she would be the child to follow her folks into the elevator business, but it just kind of worked out that way. She says it has worked out perfectly and was meant to be.

“My business degree is in clothing and textiles and my dream was to work in fashion, but God had other plans and put me where He thought best,” she explained.

When Jerome was going through his second open heart surgery, Diane and Mark were living in Dallas and Jerome called and said to them, “Come home, we need help in the business.”

That was 33 years ago and Mark and Diane have never regretted the decision to “ come home.” For a time, they worked in the business with Diane’s brother David, until he left to pursue his own interests.

Mark and Diane have seen a lot of changes in their business over the years, and they are constantly learning and adapting to new challenges.

“I think the biggest change has been and continues to be the ever-evolving pace of technology,” Diane said.

“It’s one of those things that is completely essential today, but can also be very frustrating!

“The other challenge is staying relevant with today’s competition and internet shopping. We hope our customers still enjoy a personal presence and great customer service.”

Heiman  True Value continues to grow as demand and customer needs dictate, and will keep adding products and services that their customers ask for.

When Jerome and Sue started their first elevator many years ago, they had two employees. Now, Heimans proudly boasts 20 trusted and loyal employees.

“We’ve been blessed with great help over the years,” Diane said. “Larry Morrison has been with us the longest, since 1987.

“Kim Allgood has been here for 21 years, Steve McKenna – 20 years, Wanda Thomas and Karen Davis – both 18 years, Rod McIntyre – 10 years, Lori Harris and Katie Younts – five years, and the rest of the great crew have one to three years under their belts. For all of them, we are very grateful!”

Diane looks back on the many years her folks were in business in Holden and reflects on the life lessons they taught their family during that time.

Sue moved to  Lee’s Summit after retiring but still misses seeing the familiar faces of her friends and customers in Holden.

“My folks enjoyed working and I am very grateful they taught me and my siblings the worth of hard work and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it,” Diane shared.

“Mom and Dad always believed in faith, family and friendship, and passed that along by living it. My Dad never knew a stranger.

“Mark and I are very grateful for the 33 years we have been able to serve the Holden community.

“We have been blessed by meeting and having the opportunity to visit with wonderful customers and friends, sometimes on a daily basis.

“They are the motivation that gives both of us the sense of responsibility to serve our community.”

Heiman True Value is open seven days a week to serve you. Stop by and see what they can do for you. They are located at 201 S. Vine St. For questions about products or services, call 732-4131.

Mark and Diane are continuing the legacy of hard work, outstanding customer service, and quality products and services that Jerome and Sue started those many years ago.

Congratulations to Heimans on your 45th anniversary and thank you for serving our community with integrity for more than four decades!