Donald Heirigs

Donald H. Heirigs passed away January 27th after a brief battle with cancer. Mass of Christian burial will be February 1st, 2011 at 11am at St. Boniface Catholic Church, rural Freeman, SD. Visitation with family present at 6 pm on Monday at St. Boniface Catholic church with scripture and rosary to follow. Donald was born March 6, 1927 to Agnes (Hauger) Frank Heirigs. He attended rural District 83 grade school and graduated from Viborg High School in 1944. He attended USD for 1 year, then was drafted into the navy in 1945 and served in the Pacific theater. On his return home, he began his lifelong career of farming. He married Rosemary Logsdon, the love of his life, June 6th, 1950 at Mayfield Catholic Church. With this union they were blessed with six children. They farmed in the Turkey Ridge area for over 60 years. Donald had a gift of conversation and never left a conversation without knowing someone, who knew someone, he knew. He was very active in his church and community serving on the township board, sexton for the cemetery, 4th degree Knight of Columbus and numerous other activities. He loved to go dancing, travel, attend Naval reunions, and visit family and friends. One of his greatest joys was to be able to attend the Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2009. Grateful to have shared his life is his beautiful wife of over 60 years, Rosemary and six children: Donna (Don) Kennedy of Corona, CA; Dr. Thomas (Sheryl) Heirigs of Madison, SD; Carol (Mike) Francis of Prescott, AZ; Steven (Tammy) Heirigs of Vermillion, SD; Patrick (Linda) Heirigs of Viborg, SD; Mary Kay (Rodney) Berg of Sturgis, SD. 16 grandchildren and seven grandchildren. Sisters - Norma Walters of Clovis, NM; Sister Patricia Heirigs of Lincoln, NE; Mary Albrecht of Yankton, SD. Two sister in laws, Jane Heirigs of Larchwood, IA; Elaine Heirigs of Viborg, SD. Preceding him in death are his parents, 4 brothers, Francis, Vincent, Harold, Andrew, one sister, Jean and grandson, John Carl.