Donald S. Gessert
November 22, 1943 — September 18, 2022
Donald Stephan Gessert, son of Donald and Regina (Patten) Gessert was born November 22, 1943, in Avoca, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Harlan High School. While in high school, he started working at Superior 400 Gas Station.
On June 1, 1965, Donald was united in marriage to Susan Hansen at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Four children were born to this union: Darrin, Brian, Kelly, and Jody. The family lived in various parts of Shelby County before settling outside of Elk Horn, Iowa. Donald worked at Caterpillar in Omaha, Nebraska for a few years before starting with Shelby County Road Maintenance. He worked over 40 years for the county.
Donald enjoyed hunting and fishing outdoors and making small crafts. In his later years, he started collecting coins, stamps, and old postcards. Donald was always available to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Most of all throughout his life, he loved his family and spending time with them.
Donald died on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, attaining the age seventy-eight years, nine months, and twenty-seven days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Ralph Gessert, JoAnn Rose, and Rozann Lauritsen.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years Susan Gessert of Elk Horn, Iowa; children Darrin Gessert of Omaha, Nebraska; Brian Gessert of Kimballton, Iowa and his friend Melodi Jenkins of Sioux City, Iowa; Kelly Gessert and fiancé Stephanie Schuster of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Jody (Alan) Goertz of Underwood, Iowa; 8 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; siblings Darold Gessert of Harlan, Iowa; Wayne Gessert of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Dale Gessert of Tennant, Iowa; Diane Derby, Kathy (John) Kelly, Marcia (Tom) Albertson, Randall Gessert, Darwin (Mary) Gessert all of Harlan, Iowa; Beverly (Gary) Heilig of Minden, Iowa; Dean (Deb) Gessert of Harlan, Iowa; Donna Gessert (Jeff Mayne) of Harlan, Iowa; sister-in-law Mickie Gessert of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends
On June 1, 1965, Donald was united in marriage to Susan Hansen at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Four children were born to this union: Darrin, Brian, Kelly, and Jody. The family lived in various parts of Shelby County before settling outside of Elk Horn, Iowa. Donald worked at Caterpillar in Omaha, Nebraska for a few years before starting with Shelby County Road Maintenance. He worked over 40 years for the county.
Donald enjoyed hunting and fishing outdoors and making small crafts. In his later years, he started collecting coins, stamps, and old postcards. Donald was always available to lend a helping hand to someone in need. Most of all throughout his life, he loved his family and spending time with them.
Donald died on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, Iowa, attaining the age seventy-eight years, nine months, and twenty-seven days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Ralph Gessert, JoAnn Rose, and Rozann Lauritsen.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years Susan Gessert of Elk Horn, Iowa; children Darrin Gessert of Omaha, Nebraska; Brian Gessert of Kimballton, Iowa and his friend Melodi Jenkins of Sioux City, Iowa; Kelly Gessert and fiancé Stephanie Schuster of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Jody (Alan) Goertz of Underwood, Iowa; 8 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; siblings Darold Gessert of Harlan, Iowa; Wayne Gessert of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Dale Gessert of Tennant, Iowa; Diane Derby, Kathy (John) Kelly, Marcia (Tom) Albertson, Randall Gessert, Darwin (Mary) Gessert all of Harlan, Iowa; Beverly (Gary) Heilig of Minden, Iowa; Dean (Deb) Gessert of Harlan, Iowa; Donna Gessert (Jeff Mayne) of Harlan, Iowa; sister-in-law Mickie Gessert of Harlan, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other family members and friends
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