1927
Donald
2005
Donald Willemssen
July 3, 1927 — March 30, 2005
Donald Lee Willemssen, 77, Foxhome, MN, died March 30, 2005 at St. Francis Medical Center, Breckenridge, MN. His funeral will be held Monday, April 4, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. at Foxhome Lutheran Church, Foxhome, MN, with Pastor John Andrews and Pastor Paul Schiotz officiating.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 3, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, 920 3rd Ave. N., Wahpeton, ND. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the church in Foxhome. Burial will be at Foxhome Community Cemetery, Foxhome, MN, with military honors by the Wilkin County Honor Guard.
Don is survived by: His wife: Shirley Willemssen, Foxhome, MN; His children: Diane (Lester) Haugen, Fergus Falls, MN; Sherry Muller (Glen Mills), Fargo, ND; Gayle (Bruce) Olson, Breckenridge, MN; Pat (Ken) Muller, Foxhome, MN; Cindy DeFries (Rick Burhans), Foxhome, MN; Dennis DeFries, Breckenridge, MN; Gary (Paula) DeFries, Foxhome, MN; Connie (Jim) Deal, Doran, MN; Jeff (Kari) DeFries, Jamestown, ND; Jody (Mike) Hanson, Charlotte, NC; Shawn (Dwight) Steele, Jamestown, ND; His 34 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; His brother: Thaine "Doc" (Donna) Willemssen, Foxhome, MN; His special friends: Ronald Moore and Maudie Oliphant; Several nieces and nephews
He was preceded by: His parents: Thomas and Florence Willemssen; His daughter: Shiralyn Subish; His granddaughter: JaCinda Muller; His sister: Flo Ellen Henderson; His niece: Lynette Henderson; His 2 nephews: Donald and Gary Willemssen
Donald was born July 3, 1927, near Doran, MN, the son of Thomas and Florence (Nadeau) Willemssen. He began first grade west of Campbell, MN and later moved with his family to a farm near Everdell, MN. He completed grade school at a country school north of Foxhome, MN. Following his formal education he farmed. Don was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1951 and served during the Korean War until 1953. He then returned to Foxhome and did farm work, including custom combining. On November 18, 1976, he was married to Shirley DeFries at Foxhome Lutheran Church. Don retired in 1989, but continued driving semi for Gordon Knapp and doing farm work for Russell Henderson.
Don was a member of Foxhome Lutheran Church and Breckenridge VFW Post 2766. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, circle-word puzzles, gardening and canning. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers: Mark DeFries, Bill Halena, Lucas Haugen, Jay Muller, Tracy Muller, Brady DeFries, Blake Deal, Isaac Steele
Honorary Pallbearers: Ryan Muller, Eric Muller, Matthew DeFries, Ryan Allison, Cole DeFries, Tyler Heiser, Cody DeFries, Dusty DeFries, Alex Hanson, Jack Hanson, Sam Hanson, Mason Steele, Conor Steele, Scott Gilberg
Arrangements by: Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Minnesota
Visitation will be Sunday, April 3, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at Willow Creek Chapel, 920 3rd Ave. N., Wahpeton, ND. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the funeral at the church in Foxhome. Burial will be at Foxhome Community Cemetery, Foxhome, MN, with military honors by the Wilkin County Honor Guard.
Don is survived by: His wife: Shirley Willemssen, Foxhome, MN; His children: Diane (Lester) Haugen, Fergus Falls, MN; Sherry Muller (Glen Mills), Fargo, ND; Gayle (Bruce) Olson, Breckenridge, MN; Pat (Ken) Muller, Foxhome, MN; Cindy DeFries (Rick Burhans), Foxhome, MN; Dennis DeFries, Breckenridge, MN; Gary (Paula) DeFries, Foxhome, MN; Connie (Jim) Deal, Doran, MN; Jeff (Kari) DeFries, Jamestown, ND; Jody (Mike) Hanson, Charlotte, NC; Shawn (Dwight) Steele, Jamestown, ND; His 34 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; His brother: Thaine "Doc" (Donna) Willemssen, Foxhome, MN; His special friends: Ronald Moore and Maudie Oliphant; Several nieces and nephews
He was preceded by: His parents: Thomas and Florence Willemssen; His daughter: Shiralyn Subish; His granddaughter: JaCinda Muller; His sister: Flo Ellen Henderson; His niece: Lynette Henderson; His 2 nephews: Donald and Gary Willemssen
Donald was born July 3, 1927, near Doran, MN, the son of Thomas and Florence (Nadeau) Willemssen. He began first grade west of Campbell, MN and later moved with his family to a farm near Everdell, MN. He completed grade school at a country school north of Foxhome, MN. Following his formal education he farmed. Don was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1951 and served during the Korean War until 1953. He then returned to Foxhome and did farm work, including custom combining. On November 18, 1976, he was married to Shirley DeFries at Foxhome Lutheran Church. Don retired in 1989, but continued driving semi for Gordon Knapp and doing farm work for Russell Henderson.
Don was a member of Foxhome Lutheran Church and Breckenridge VFW Post 2766. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, circle-word puzzles, gardening and canning. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers: Mark DeFries, Bill Halena, Lucas Haugen, Jay Muller, Tracy Muller, Brady DeFries, Blake Deal, Isaac Steele
Honorary Pallbearers: Ryan Muller, Eric Muller, Matthew DeFries, Ryan Allison, Cole DeFries, Tyler Heiser, Cody DeFries, Dusty DeFries, Alex Hanson, Jack Hanson, Sam Hanson, Mason Steele, Conor Steele, Scott Gilberg
Arrangements by: Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, Minnesota
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Willemssen, please visit our flower store.