Donald Hempel
d. February 20, 2023
Donald Hempel, 92, of Granite Falls, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Ren-Villa Nursing Home. Memorial services will be held on Thursday, March 2nd at 11:00 am at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening from 5 to 7:00 pm at the Wing-Bain Funeral Home. Memorial are prefered to the Granite Falls American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Granite Falls Block Nursing Program.
Donald Dell Hempel was born April 27, 1930, on a farm East of Hanley Falls, Minnesota. He was the son of Ernest and Anna (Uhlken) Hempel. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended school in Hanley Falls and Granite Falls.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Army in January of 1949, and served on active duty for twelve months. He spent six years in the Reserve and was discharged in January of 1950, and was called back in September of 1950, during the Korean War.
Donald served in the Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Division as a thirty caliber machine gunner. The Chinese entered the war in November 1950, and his outfit fought their way to the Manchuria border and the Chosin Reservoir where they were evacuated in December of 1950, and all the equipment was loaded on ships at Hungnam. Christmas Eve 1950, they were on board ship and sailed to Pusan and the following day continued back to Seoul again. Donald was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and numerous other ribbons and battle stars. He was honorably discharged and rotated home on points in July of 1950.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Jenson at First Lutheran Church in Morris on February 23, 1952. They made their home in Granite Falls where Donald and his three brothers formed a partnership in the masonry business. In 1988, he formed his own company with his two sons, Scott and Tim.
Don was very active in the community as he was in the Jaycees, Police Reserve for 25 years, Firearm Safety Instructor of 25 years, Lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV and is a life member of the Bricklayers Union. In 2007, he received an award for Legionnaire of the Year in recognition of outstanding leadership and service.
He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, serving as an Elder and Usher, delivering meals and tapes to shut ins. He was always available to help in Church and Community or wherever someone needed a helping hand.
Donald’s hobbies were bowling, watching the Twins and Vikings and enjoying his coffee groups. He had many Korean Reunions with his Army friends that involved traveling to many different states, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He loved spending time with his family.
Donald Hempel passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Ren-Villa Nursing Home. He was 92 years of age.
Don is survived by his wife Shirley, children: Sandy (Ray) Dudonis of El Dorado Hills, California and Tim (Jody) Hempel of Granite Falls; daughter-in-law Judy Soderholm; 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Scott and 12 siblings.
Donald Dell Hempel was born April 27, 1930, on a farm East of Hanley Falls, Minnesota. He was the son of Ernest and Anna (Uhlken) Hempel. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. He attended school in Hanley Falls and Granite Falls.
At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Army in January of 1949, and served on active duty for twelve months. He spent six years in the Reserve and was discharged in January of 1950, and was called back in September of 1950, during the Korean War.
Donald served in the Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Division as a thirty caliber machine gunner. The Chinese entered the war in November 1950, and his outfit fought their way to the Manchuria border and the Chosin Reservoir where they were evacuated in December of 1950, and all the equipment was loaded on ships at Hungnam. Christmas Eve 1950, they were on board ship and sailed to Pusan and the following day continued back to Seoul again. Donald was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and numerous other ribbons and battle stars. He was honorably discharged and rotated home on points in July of 1950.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Jenson at First Lutheran Church in Morris on February 23, 1952. They made their home in Granite Falls where Donald and his three brothers formed a partnership in the masonry business. In 1988, he formed his own company with his two sons, Scott and Tim.
Don was very active in the community as he was in the Jaycees, Police Reserve for 25 years, Firearm Safety Instructor of 25 years, Lifetime member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV and is a life member of the Bricklayers Union. In 2007, he received an award for Legionnaire of the Year in recognition of outstanding leadership and service.
He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Granite Falls, serving as an Elder and Usher, delivering meals and tapes to shut ins. He was always available to help in Church and Community or wherever someone needed a helping hand.
Donald’s hobbies were bowling, watching the Twins and Vikings and enjoying his coffee groups. He had many Korean Reunions with his Army friends that involved traveling to many different states, which he thoroughly enjoyed. He loved spending time with his family.
Donald Hempel passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at the Ren-Villa Nursing Home. He was 92 years of age.
Don is survived by his wife Shirley, children: Sandy (Ray) Dudonis of El Dorado Hills, California and Tim (Jody) Hempel of Granite Falls; daughter-in-law Judy Soderholm; 7 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Scott and 12 siblings.
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