Donald Irvin Heesch

Donald Irvin Heesch, 83, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Garretson passed away Friday, December 26, 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Garretson. Burial will be in the Summit Hill Cemetery, rural Garretson.

Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at Minnehaha Funeral Home.

Donald was born May 8, 1925 at Garretson to parents Carl and Esther (Herring) Heesch. He was raised and received his education in Garretson. Donald enlisted in the US Navy, serving from 1943 to 1946 and from 1948 to 1950.

Donald married Mary Snook March 10, 1964. They moved across the country until settling in Oregon for eight years. In 1995, they moved to Garretson and later to Sioux Falls. Mary died on Wednesday, June 20, 2007. Donald was a very proud lifetime member of the VFW. He liked to fish and was a member of the North American Fishing Club. He cherished spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren. He also loved his pets.


Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Barbara (David) Paulus, Belle Fourche, SD; Donald Heesch, Jr., Sioux Falls; Dwain (Velma) Heesch, Teutle, OK; Dennis Heesch, Kenmare, ND; Kenneth Heesch, Garretson and Alberta (Ron) Frisbee, Appleton, WI; eleven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; a great-great grandchild; brother, Robert (Marilyn) Heesch, Sioux Falls; sister, LaVonne (Duane) Lund; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife; parents and sister, Delores.