Date of Birth:
Thursday, June 11, 1931
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Age:
84 years old

Donald “Don” E. Heaser

Donald “Don” Edward Heaser of Eyota, MN died on March 8, 2016 at the age of 84. He was born to Edward Henry and Margaret Amelia (Stamschror) Heaser on June 11, 1931. He attended St. Felix High School in Wabasha, MN where he graduated in 1949 as a valedictorian. He then attended Winona Business College for a Business Degree.
Donald joined the Air Force at Sheppard Air Force base in Texas on February 16, 1951 where he was a Crew Chief Air Craft Mechanic working on B47 and B29 Bombers. Donald served during the Korean War as a Tech Sargent. During his years of service he received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Medal, and his unit received the Air Force Outstanding Units Award.

Shortly after returning from his deployment, Donald met Margaret Tate in St. Louis, Missouri in 1955. He was on his way to Texas to become a pilot, when he ran out of money in St. Louis. He got a job at General Motors and while looking for a place to live his supervisor (Margaret’s father) took him home for dinner and gave him a room to stay. Margaret took one look at him and thought, “Who wants that little red faced runt.” She quickly fell in love with him and they married on August 25, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Donald and Margaret started their married life in St. Louis where they had; Edward, Margo, Michelle, Julie, Mark, Frank, Bonita, Richard, Patricia, and John. They then continued their adventure in Kellogg, Minnesota where Anne, Lisa, Noah, and Joseph were born. They continued on to Winona, Minnesota where Christopher and Peter were born. Don and Margaret live out the rest of their days together in Eyota, MN.

Donald and Margaret spent many years with their children camping at Whitewater Valley Campground in Elba, MN. Don was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending his time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always kept himself busy with fishing, camping, doing upholstery, loved going on walks, planting flowers, was a member of the Eyota American Legion Honor Guard, and avidly participated in the Catholic Church. He loved to gather for holidays with his VERY large family of 16 children, 49 grandchildren, and 44 great grandchildren. Don had a wonderful sense of humor, a contagious laugh, was a packrat, was kind and gentle, he loved to tease those who were close to him, and he always said he was the richest man in the world because of his children.
Don had several careers throughout his life always supporting and doing what he could to make sure his family was taken care of. He worked at General Motors as an Engineer in St. Louis, MO for 11 years. After leaving GM he moved his family to Kellogg, MN where he ran his own upholstery business and served as the town cop for Kellogg. Don continued to run an upholstery business until he retired.

Donald is survived by his wife; Margaret Heaser of Eyota, MN, sister; Greta (Bob) Konkel of Minneiska, MN, 14 children; Edward (Marla) of Rolingstone, Michelle of LaCrosse, WI, Julie (Jeff) Peterson of St. Charles, Mark (Jena) of Medford, Frank of North Carolina, Richard of Eyota, Patricia (Brian) Simpson of Eyota, John (Tina) of Winona, Anne (Dennis) Trogstad of Eyota, Lisa (Brian) of St. Peter, MO, Noah (Brandy) of Eyota, Joe (Madeline) of Rochester, Chris (Linda) of Rochester and Peter of Eyota. 49 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren.
He was proceeded in death by his parents (Edward and Margaret), his aunt Margaret, Uncle Noah, his brother Dave Heaser and Sister Anita Berg, and two of his daughters; Bonita and Margaret.
The funeral for Donald “Don” Heaser will be at 12:00pm on Monday March 14th, 2016 at St. Marys Catholic Church in Minneiska, MN with Revs. Kurt Farrell and William Kulas officiating.. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Minneiska, MN with military honors provided by American Legion Post 551. Visitation will be from 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Sunday March 13th, 2016 at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home in Rochester, MN and one hour before the service at the church on Monday.

Memorials are preferred to the family.

Macken Funeral Home of Rochester, MN is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com