Hanssen, Donald Fredrick

Donald Fredrick Hanssen,72, died Thursday morning, Aug. 2, 2012, at his home with his wife, Shirley by his side.Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, with military honors. The Rev. Darryl Larson will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello. Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous.

Surviving is his wife, Shirley Hanssen of Monticello.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Janet Hanssen; and a brother, Gerald.

Donald Hanssen was born March 9, 1940, at the Willett Baby Hospital in Manchester. He was the son of Gerhard and Bertha Bartels, Hanssen. He grew up in the Pictured Rocks area and attended Lovell Township School #6. Don started working as a farm hand. In 1960, he went to work at Schoon Implement as a mechanic. From 1962 to 1965 Don served in the United States Army. Following his return from the military, Don returned to work at Schoon's. He worked for a brief time for Jake's Standard. He left Schoon implement in 1978 and became a parts man at Wears Implement.

Don married Janet Waite on Feb. 16, 1980, at St. Matthews Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death on Nov. 30, 2001.

He retired from Wears Implement in 1996.Don and Shirley Otten were married April 20, 2006, sharing six quality years together.

Don was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church. He served on the parish council and was an usher for over 50 years. He was baptized at Peace Lutheran Church at Ryan on March 31, 1940. He confirmed his faith on April 11, 1954 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church. Don was a volunteer at Camp Courageous and for Senior Meals. He was given the Governors' Volunteer Award in 2004 and the Outstanding Senior Citizens Award in 2003.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 3, 2012.