HESS, Donald J. 1921 - 2004

HESS, BAUM, HORSFIELD, GASAWAY, MAKI, LINER, JASZEWSKI, STATE, ENGLER, HEISER

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/24/2014 at 00:15:08

DONALD J. HESS

Donald J. Hess, 82, formerly of Clear Lake, passed away Thursday, Jan. 29, 2004, at his home, 2200 Country Club Drive, Mason City, Iowa. A Funeral Mass was held Monday, Feb. 2, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with Monsignor Robert Hogan officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City. The family will give memorials to the Newman Catholic Schools to be included in the Andy Gasaway Endowment Fund for the fine arts, and United Cerebral Palsy.

Don was born the son of Otto and Mary (Baum) Hess, Oct. 23, 1921, in Worthington, Iowa. Don graduated in 1939 from St. Paul High School, Worthington. He worked in sales for a period of four years prior to October, 1943 when he entered the service. He was discharged from the Army in 1946. Don married Geraldine Horsfield of Epworth, Iowa on Nov. 23, 1950 in Placid, Iowa.

Don was truly an American success story. He was self-employed for over 60 years in agriculture and recycling businesses throughout the Midwest. He started 21 companies during his business career. Local companies include Mason City Recycling Center, Mason City By-Products, A-Z Drying at Osage, Hess & Co, and Fermented Products.

Don will be remembered by his family for his generosity and love.

He is survived by his wife, Geri Hess, Mason City; six children, Joan (Mike) Gasaway, Mason City, Dona (Gene) Maki, Minneapolis, Minn., Ruth (David) Liner, Arlington, Va., Dean (Suzanne) Hess, Clear Lake, Jane (Mark) Jaszewski, Little Canada, Minn. and John Hess of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren, Matt and Leah Gasaway, Gina (John) State, Shawn Maki, Lindsey, Morgan and Madeline Hess, Sophia, Jillian and Marin Jaszewski, and Caitlyn Hess; great-grandchildren, Kyle State, Dylan and Audrina Maki; brother, Gerald Hess, and a sister, Geraldine Engler.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Mary, in 1958; grandson, Andrew Gasaway; brothers, Ardo Hess and Ambrose Hess; sister, Florabell Heiser, and baby brothers, Harold and Roland.