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Donald A. Heimerl Madison, MN QCWA # 33003 Chapter 102 |
Donald Allen Heimerl
July 10, 1947 - March 13, 2019
The Zahrbock Funeral Home announces the death of 71 year old Don Heimerl of Madison who passed away on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at the St. Cloud Veterans Hospital in St. Cloud, MN.
Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Faith Lutheran Church in Madison. Rev. Paul Peterson will officiate at the service.
Burial will be in Faith Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 22, 2019 starting at 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. at the Zahrbock Funeral Home Chapel. A public prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue before the services on Saturday at the church.
Donald Allen Heimerl was born on July 10, 1947, to Robert and Gunvar (Haug) Heimerl in Madison, MN. Don was baptized and confirmed at Faith Lutheran Church in Madison, MN. He attended school in Madison, MN and enlisted in the Air Force after graduation on August 10, 1966. Don was stationed in Minot, ND, and then served one tour of duty in Viet Nam.
After his honorable discharge on February 27, 1970, he worked for a telephone company in Belle Plaine and Jordan, MN. In 1973, he started his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer, later promoted to a full time police officer in 1975, employed at the Jordan Police Department and then at the McLeod County Sheriff's Department as a Deputy Sheriff in 1979. Don trained several new peace officers, saved many lives and helped many people in his almost 30 year career. He retired in 2001.
Don became an amateur radio operator in 1963 and started the amateur radio clubs in Hutchinson and Madison. In later years, he taught ham radio and was a volunteer examiner with ARRL.
Donald married Cheryl Smith on September 21, 1968. They adopted one son, Thomas, in June, 1986, and were foster parents to 6 other children. Don loved working with kids in Boy Scouts and in the Civil Air Patrol Explorers in Hutchinson. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol in Hutchinson, and liaison between the Sheriff's Department and the CAP.
After his retirement, Don and Cheryl returned to Madison, MN in 2004, to be near his mother Gunvar. He enjoyed camping and being with family.
Donald Heimerl died at the St Cloud VA Long Term Nursing Facility on March 13, 2019. He was 71 years, 8 months and 3 days old. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, his son, Thomas, grandchildren Danielle Warren, Aiden and Chase Heimerl, and several uncle and aunts and nieces and nephews.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Gunvar Heimerl and his brother, Paul Heimerl.
Blessed be his memory
All veterans are asked to meet at the church to form an Honor Guard.
Burial will be at a later date.