Donald R. Liesen

Donald R. Liesen, 78, of Sebastian, Fla., and Otto, N.C., died unexpectedly at 2:40 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 7, 2009) just 18 days short of his 79th birthday. He was a son of Richard and Helen (Breuer) Liesen of Quincy. After serving his country in the Philippines during the Korean War as a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force, Don went to work for the Glidden Paint Company. He retired from Glidden 35 years later as Midwest Regional Director, and eventually moved to Sebastian and Otto. Don spent a lot of time on the golf course, (too much time according to his wife) where he scored a hole-in-one three times in his battles with the turf. He loved to travel and enjoyed many happy days on cruise ships with his wife, sister and brother-in-law and friends. He was an active member of St. Sebastian Church and was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society. In addition, he was a member of the Elks, supported the Sebastian Golf League and volunteered for the Meals on Wheels program. Don is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, LaRae A. (Walker ) Liesen; his son, Mark (Patty) of Lawrenceville, Ga.; his daughter, Donna (Rhodie) Humbert of Melbourne, Fla.; his sister, Camilla (Dave) Harvey of Quincy; grandchildren, Jennifer (Todd) Futter of Bethlehem, Ga., Patrick Liesen of Winder, Ga., Kristie (Travis) Bealmear of Lawrenceville, Ga., Dustin Smith of Orlando, Fla.; his step grandchildren, Stacey (Phil) Hankerson of Sunrise, Fla., Suzanne (Jose) Cora of Fishkill, N.Y., and Concetta Humbert of Melbourne, Fla.; and his great-grandchildren, Austin and Alyssa Futter, Kayla and Marissa Hankerson and Jace Cora. Don is also survived by many nephews and nieces and their children whom he enjoyed visiting with during a recent family trip to Quincy this past July. Don was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Tom (Joan) Liesen. SERVICES: 1:30 p.m. Friday in St. Francis Catholic Church; Burial near his mother, father and brother, with full military rites by American Legion Post #37, will be in Calvary Cemetery. Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date in the North Carolina Mountains and Sebastian, Fla., to celebrate Don's full and happy life. VISITATION: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. MEMORIALS: Cancer Foundation, Heart Association or the VNA-Hospice of Vero Beach, Fla. ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.