Douglas Hess

The funeral service for Douglas Hess will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2013, at the St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Stephen Meltzer officiating. Friends may call from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena. Visitation will resume at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Doug passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the age of 82, at the Elders Home in New York Mills, MN. Douglas Lee Hess was born on December 26, 1930, to Floyd and Mary (Dearholt) Hess in Wing River Township, Wadena County, MN, and lived there all of his life. He graduated from Verndale High School in 1949, and began logging and farming. As a member of the US Navy Seabees, from April 23, 1951 through April 12, 1955, he worked as an equipment mechanic, serving in the Philippines for nearly four years where he helped build the Cubic Bay Naval Base. Doug and Joan Frost were united in marriage on August 21, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New York Mills. He began farming in 1955, and by 1980 had received the Outstanding Conservation Farmer for his accomplishments in the conservation of soil, water and related resources. In 1991, they moved off the farm, yet Doug continued to work on the farm with his sons. He was active in the ASCS and SWCD for over 10 years, and was a member of the Verndale American Legion, St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena, and a past member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Verndale. He loved helping family and friends build their homes, along with hunting- especially deer and elk with his dad, brothers, children and grandchildren. Doug and Joan enjoyed traveling with friends and taking bus tours after they retired. Doug was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Mary; brothers Richard and Donald; and sister Dora Mae Weiher. He is survived by his wife Joan (Frost); children Leann (Mary Childs) Hess, of Port Wing, WI, William (Deb Hosek), Mark, and Sandy Hess all of Verndale, Kristi (Harmen) Tande of Moorhead, and Wayne (Diane Botelho) of Staples; grandchildren Benjamin (Shyla Hackler) Hess, Jessica (Aaron) Funk, Jolene (Jordan) Hinkle, Corey (Ashley Braith) Hess, Ryan (Molly Fletcher) Hess, Michael (Brit-Awn Melbie) Hess, Becca, Sam and Lee Hess, Ashten Tande; eight great-grandchildren; along with several nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be Jessica Funk, Jolene Hinkle, Becca Hess, Sam Hess, Lee Hess and Ashten Tande & Doug’s great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Hess, Ryan Hess, Michael Hess, Corey Hess, Aaron Funk and Jordan Hinkle. Military honors will be provided by the Elmer Goche Post 3922, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wadena, MN. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery in Verndale. Memorial contributions may be made to Legacy Hospice, 201 Shady Lane Dr., Wadena, MN, and St. John Lutheran Church/Organ Fund, 710 Franklin Ave. SW, Wadena, MN.

Douglas Hess

December 26, 1930 - November 16, 2013