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Donald Glenn Hesse
<p>Donald Glenn Hesse, 91, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away quietly with family members by his side on September 24, 2021, at Maggie's House in DeWitt. He was the loving, devoted husband of Coral Krukow Hesse, a caring father, a self-made businessman, an accomplished outdoorsman, and a fine storyteller</p> <p>Don was born in Donahue, Iowa, on September 5, 1930, to Gladys Gertrude (Holcomb) and John Willis Hesse. His father was killed in an accident on Christmas Eve when Don was eight, leaving him the child of a single mother until many years later, when she married Bill Gribbon. During the Great Depression, he lived with families on farms across Clinton and Scott counties, doing chores and attending various schools, developing the kind of stoic resilience that became a hallmark of his life. He graduated from DeWitt High School.</p> <p>Don served in the US Army as a combat engineer on the front lines of the Korean War, running heavy equipment that helped establish beachheads, bridge rivers, and open several mountain passes. Until his later years, he spoke of his service with great reluctance. He was the longest continuous living member of the DeWitt American Legion.</p> <p>On September 14, 1955, a Wednesday night, he married Coral Ardis Krukow, the love of his life, at Grace Lutheran Church. They were married 65 years until Coral passed away in October 2020. Don and Coral enjoyed going out to dinner, taking long drives in the country, having picnics, participating in church activities, serving the Clinton County Historical Society, and following Iowa sports. They devoted great energies to their children and grandchildren, faithfully attending any child's event, large or small, within driving distance, phoning or writing if circumstances prevented. They kept a trim Victorian house on 6th Avenue, where Don planted extensive flower beds of red Salvia. In later years, they valued neighbors Jim and Sue Foote.</p> <p>After maintaining roads for Scott County, Don established Hesse Oil Company in the late 1950s, delivering fuels to farms, homes, and business, and sponsoring a bowling team by that name. In the 1960s, he opened a small bait shop in DeWitt and worked night shifts at Caterpillar. In the 1970s he and partner Fred Behr created B&H Sanitary Service, picking up trash in DeWitt, rain or cold, sickness or injury, until his retirement in 1995. During many of those years, he was a member of the DeWitt Fire Department, where he served as Chief.</p> <p>To say that Don was an avid fisherman is to say the sun rises and sets. For many years, his garage featured a dedicated blender for mixing catfish bait and a refrigerator for storing it. Every week would find him on the Wapsi or Cedar Rivers in his custom flatbottom boat, joined by a succession of fishing partners and close friends, most notably Gabby Fletcher, Ray Cole, and John Camp. In earlier years, he trapped and hunted, and was a founding member of the Teal Club. His euchre skills were unsurpassed. Don was a man of quiet, pragmatic, effective action rather than words, although his word was his bond, and personal integrity and self-sufficiency were his heartfelt values.</p> <p>He is survived by six children, Doug (Becky) of Denver, Colorado, Joellyn (John) McDonnell, of DeWitt, Susan (Terry) Frahm, of DeWitt, Kathleen (Rick) Miller, of Leander, Texas, Barbara (Doug) Range of Lilburn, Georgia, and John of Cumming, Georgia; 17 grandchildren, Monica (Rob Cox) Hesse, Andrew (Molly) Hesse, Paige (Armand Emamdjomeh) Osburn, Shannon (Phil) Schroetter, Josh (Nicole) McDonnell, Jason (Sarah) McDonnell, Adam (Jill) McDonnell, Sean Hunter, Katie (Ryan) Rebers, Austin (Jessica Miller), Courtney (Dusty) Lozano, Nathan Hesse, Jade (James) Helm, Jacob Range, Jenna Range, Jared Hesse and Justin Hesse; and 14 great-grandchildren. His stories and values live through them.</p> <p>Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until the service time of 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 2, 2021, at Grace Lutheran Church, DeWitt. The Rev. Eric Obermann officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery, DeWitt.</p><p>In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, Kids Fishing Foundation, and the DeWitt Fire Department.</p>September 5, 1930 - September 24, 202109/05/193009/24/2021
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Colonel Steve Garrington, Honor Flight
October 14, 2021
Dear Friends,
We at Honor Flight of the Quad Cities were saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved veteran. We understand that this is a time of grief for you, and we share that grief with you. We are thankful for him and his selfless contribution of time and ef... Continue Reading
We at Honor Flight of the Quad Cities were saddened to hear of the passing of your beloved veteran. We understand that this is a time of grief for you, and we share that grief with you. We are thankful for him and his selfless contribution of time and ef... Continue Reading
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Doug Hesse
January 7, 2022
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Marc & Vanessa Mulcahy
October 1, 2021
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers sent to all!
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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Denny and Rhonda Bauer
October 1, 2021
Hugs to all the family. I know Denny enjoyed Don 's company. And will miss him, and miss all the stories Don would tell, fishing stories and such. He was one of the GREAT men.
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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Doug Hesse
October 2, 2021
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Rick and Connie Schnack
October 1, 2021
Lit a candle in memory of Donald Glenn Hesse
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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Tom and Jeannie Dean
September 29, 2021
Don (Mr. Hesse to me) was such a good, steady and unassuming man. He always had a ready smile or friendly hello for everyone, no matter what he was doing - serving the community or being a spectator at a sporting or fine arts event. We appreciated the continuous support ... Continue Reading
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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Doug Hesse
October 2, 2021
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Frank and Tammy Mervine
September 29, 2021
So sorry for your loss
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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Cathy Harl
September 28, 2021
Lit a candle in memory of Donald Glenn Hesse
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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John & Mary (Nugent) Eldracher & family
September 28, 2021
To all of the Hesse family, but especially to John and Joellyn and family, we extend to you our deepest sympathy and understanding of your loss. May God comfort you.
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Richard and Lorna Hill
September 28, 2021
So sorry for your loss.
Hugs and prayers to all
Hugs and prayers to all
A candle was posted for Donald Glenn Hesse.
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Robert & Debbie Wheeler Briggs-Yorkville, Il.
September 28, 2021
Jo Ellyn and Jon, we are so sad to hear the news of your father. Our most sincere sympathy to you and your entire family. He was one GREAT man! I also have fond memories of Don along with Ray Cole, taking me fishing in the wee hours on the Wapsipinicon River. Again, we a... Continue Reading
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Joellyn and John McDonnell
October 19, 2021
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