Donald L. Hoosier

Donald L. Hoosier, age 87 of Hillman, MN, passed away Monday, November 8, 2010 at his home in Leigh Township, Morrison County, MN. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 15, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman with the Rev. Bob Munnecke officiating. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, north of Little Falls. Visitation will be Sunday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Pierz and Monday from 9:00-10:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral chapel in Pierz. Donald Leroy Hoosier was born February 15, 1923 in Outlook, MT to the late Eddie E. & Alice May (Tepley) Hoosier. As a young boy, Donald moved with his family to Badger, MN where he grew up and attended school. He was inducted into the United States Army on November 13, 1943 and entered active duty on December 6, 1943 at Fort Snelling, MN, serving during WWII. Donald received an Honorable Discharge on November 8, 1945. During his active military duties, Donald received the European African Middle Eastern Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal and a Purple Heart. Upon returning from the military, Donald moved back to Minnesota and worked at the Roseau Creamery in Roseau, MN. He was united in marriage to Frances J. Broten in 1950 in Roseau, MN. In 1956, the couple moved to Minneapolis, MN where Donald worked for Tennant Company as a maintenance engineer until his retirement. The couple later divorced. Following his retirement, Donald moved to his home in rural Hillman, Leigh Township, MN, residing there until his death. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hillman, MN. Donald was very involved in his church and the Hillman Community Choir. He enjoyed birds, horseshoes, hunting, gardening, bowling, snowmobiling, fishing, golfing, watching the Minnesota Twins, and working in his shop. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Avery Hoosier of Sturgeon Bay, WI, Rene (Karen) Hoosier of Rochester, MN, Toni (Jay) Slepica of Crystal, MN, Carla (Bruce) Kohl of Elk River, MN and Denise Larson of Osseo, MN; 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Vernon Hoosier of Blairs, VA; sisters, Vivian Kopecky of Racine, WI and Joyce (Robert) Ryden of Strathcona, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie & Alice Hoosier, sisters, Evelyn & LaVeine and brothers, Howard and Arnold. Honorary pallbearers are Anna Winter, Kimberly Morse, Maci Harrison, Nicole Larson, Brittini Hoosier & Linsy Hoosier. Casket bearers are Billy Bush, Seth Morse, Jason Slepica, Curtis Slepica, T.J. Larson, Kyle Hoosier & Bob Winter.