Wesley “Wes” Duane Heesch
May 17, 1930 ~ September 13, 2019
Wesley Duane Heesch, 89, Sioux Falls, formerly Garretson, died peacefully, Friday, September 13, 2019, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital.
Visitation will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a short service at 7pm. Funeral services will be 1pm, Wednesday, September, 18, 2019, at the United Church of Garretson. Burial will follow at Summit Hill Cemetery, rural Garretson, with Full Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
Wesley (Wes) Heesch, son of Claus and Mae (Zweep) Heesch, was born on May 17, 1930 on the family farm in Edison Township near Garretson, SD. He grew up on the farm, receiving his education at Fairview #101 Country School, and graduated from Garretson High School in 1947. During this time he was baptized and confirmed in the Evangelical and Reformed Church, now known as the United Church of Garretson.
Wes volunteered and entered the United States Marine Corp in 1951 and served until November 30, 1953, including a year spent in the Korean War Zone as a member of the U.S.M.C. Fighter Squadron VMF (N) 513 of the Marine Corps air wing.
After his Honorable Discharge, he returned to the Garretson area and began farming. In 1954, he married Dellora James. In 1961, the family moved to Omaha, NE and Wes began a career in the trucking business as an owner-operator. During this time he traversed the U.S., coast to coast and border to border. An eye surgery ended his trucking career in 1974.
In 1976, he married Mary Ann Tousley in Council Bluffs, IA. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to SD and farmed. In 1988, they moved to Higgins, TX, where Wes ended his working years as a wheat farmer. He retired at the age of 80, subsequently moving back to Sioux Falls to be near family and friends.
Wes will be deeply missed by his seven children, Sherry Bear, Hartington, NE, Timothy (Debbie) Heesch, Olathe , KS, Sandra (David Johnson) Olson, Sioux Falls, Laurie (Dusty) Davis, Wakefield, NE, Chris (Karen Anderson) Heesch, Coon Rapids, MN, Daniel Heesch, Columbus, OH and Jacob (Amber) Heesch, Lubbock, TX; fifteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews; sister-in-law, Matie Heesch, Sioux Falls.
Wes was preceded in death by his parents, Claus and Mae (Zweep) Heesch; two wives, Dellora and Mary Ann; and two brothers Delbert Heesch and Marvin (Lois) Heesch.
Online condolences at www.heartlandfunerals.com
