Donald Lee Hesse, 83, died at the Clairemont Nursing home June 30, 2009, surrounded by family. He was born July 21, 1925, in Bird Island, MN, to George and Mabel (Swenson) Hesse. \r\nHe graduated from St. Olaf College in 1947 with a degree in Economics. \r\nDon married Eleanor M. Bergendahl on August 7, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York. \r\nHe worked in the investment business his entire life. He started his career with Investors Diversified Services (IDS) in Minneapolis, and moved to Eau Claire in 1958 to start his own investment firm; Selected Securities Company.\r\nDon was active in his church, serving in many capacities. He was a member of Norsemen's Federation and Vesterheim, in Decorah, IA. He served on the Commission on Aging, and was a Step Force volunteer at Luther Hospital. He enjoyed camping with his family, and in later years, traveling with his wife and companion of 60 years.\r\nDon is survived by his wife Eleanor; four children, Paul (Therese) Hesse of Tomahawk; Janet (Don) Westphal of Eleva, George (Debra Boss) Hesse of Pine Top, AZ, Sara (Elliot) Bruhl of Sitka, AK, seven grandchildren, Neil Hesse, Hans Hesse, Eric Hesse, Gustav Bruhl, Naomi Hesse, Kari Hesse and Emma Bruhl; his brother Lowell (Betty) Hesse of Kent, WA; two sisters-in-law, Linda (Arthur) Williams of Juno Beach, FL, and Margaret Bergendahl of Fort Wayne, IN; and nieces and nephews. \r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents George and Mabel Hesse; and an infant son, Peter Gahr Hesse.\r\nFuneral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2009, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, with Pastor Gary F. Sahs officiating. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Friday at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral and Cremation Services is serving his family.\r\nMemorials may be given to Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1310 Main St., Eau Claire, WI, 54701; or Feed My People, 331 Putnam St., Eau Claire, WI 54703. \r\n \r\n

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