Donald Eugene Heggedahl

Donald Eugene Heggedahl, 96, of Hayfield, MN passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Hillcrest Care Center in Mankato, MN. Amanda Ebinghoe and Louis Heggedahl were blessed with five children. Donald Eugene Heggedahl was born on January 8, 1929, and was their fourth child. He was raised on a farm in rural Kenyon, MN where he learned a strong work ethic that carried him to the end of his days. He enlisted in the Army in 1948, before shifting to the Air Force for two years later when the Army split. He served in numerous capacities and locations in his 21 years of service before retiring to civilian life with the rank of Senior Master Sargeant. The highlights of his many deployments were when he blazed a trail across the Midwest as one of the original "storm chasers", seeking out atmospheric conditions to launch weather balloons to test the functionality of radar in storm forecasting; nuclear missile testing in the South Pacific; Bomarc missiles in Seattle Washington; and his final duty in munitions at Hahn Air Force Base, West Germany. Donald was hired by IBM in Rochester, MN and simultaneously returned to farming working full-time at both. He retired in May 1984, from IBM after 16 years as a computer programmer and designer. The highlight of his IBM career was working on the groundbreaking System 36. Donald was an active member of the Masonic Temple, joining in 1956; serving as Lodge Master and mentoring many. He also earned his 32nd degree of the Scottish Rite. He embodied the six core values: Reverence for God, Integrity, Devotion to Country, Justice, Tolerance, and Service to Humanity. He joined the Osman Merry Medic Clowns in 1971, and continued to walk and ride in parades raising money for the Shrine Children's Hospitals until he was 89. Donald was a devoted husband and father, and a mentor to many. He was well and truly loved, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Donald is survived by his wife, Alice (Zacek) Heggedahl whom he married on November 16, 1956; and his daughters, Susan (James) Miner, Michele Heggedahl, Julie (Randy) Clemenson, and Lisa Heggedahl; 7 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren; his youngest brother, Allan; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Myron and Art Heggedahl; and sister, Helen Wolenhauer. A private family burial will be in Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Shriners Children's Hospital, https://donate.shrinerschildrens.org/campaign/669435/donate. To share a special memory or condolence please, visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 501 2nd Street NW, Hayfield, Minnesota, 507-477-2259. Blessed be his memory.