Donald "Don" Hieserich

Donald E. Hieserich, age 71 of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 25, 2026 at his home in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

*****Please note the date of the service*****

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph with Rev. Derek Wiechmann officiating. Entombment will be held in Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud.

Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Donald Edward Hieserich was born on July 11, 1955, the youngest of six children of Arnold and Edna (Boedigheimer) Hieserich. He was raised on the family dairy farm near Melrose, Minnesota, and attended Melrose High School. Don farmed alongside his family west of Melrose until 1981, when he took over the dairy farm following the death of his father.

In 1999, Don retired from farming. On October 6, 2000, he married Bonnie Jean Schrom at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville. The couple made their home in St. Joseph, where they shared their lives with their son, Mitchell, born in 2001, and Don’s stepdaughter, Rebecca. Bonnie passed away unexpectedly in 2007. Following her death, Don devoted himself to raising Mitchell and supporting and guiding Rebecca. During these years, he worked at New Flyer Bus Company and St. Cloud State University and also performed home inspections.

Don retired from St. Cloud State University in 2022 after 20 years of service as a general maintenance worker. Due to health concerns, he eventually had to give up doing home inspections and riding motorcycles, an activity he greatly enjoyed. In 2011, Don met Sharon Galloway, and together they formed a strong friendship and loving bond. They treasured their time together and enjoyed sharing life with Sharon’s children and granddaughter. Don was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Melrose and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph.

Survivors include his significant other, Sharon Galloway of St. Joseph; son, Mitchell Hieserich of St. Joseph; stepdaughter, Rebecca (David) Fasen Schrom and their daughter, Myka of Eden Prairie; Sharon’s children, Michael (Vanessa) Simenson of Kingston, and Vickie (Mason) Simenson-Strege and their daughter, Charlotte of Raymond; sisters, Carol Hilger of St. Joseph and Arlene (Mel) Walz of Zimmerman; sister-in-law, Maureen Hieserich of Kimball; many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; and his beloved dog, Sadie.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Jean Schrom-Hieserich, on February 23, 2007; his parents, Arnold Sr. and Edna Hieserich; sisters, Donna Molozik and Mara Hieserich; brother, Arnold “Arnie” Hieserich; and many other beloved family members and friends.