Donald L. Lessard

Donald L. Lessard, 79 years old, of Hayward, WI and formerly of Antioch, IL, passed away with his family by his side at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from complications of pulmonary fibrosis and heart disease. Don was born on September 11, 1936 on the east Chippewa River at Lessard’s Resort, the son of the late Harry and Theresa (Nakowitz) Lessard.  Don’s early life was full of adventure as he grew up on the resort with his 7 siblings and was a fishing guide on the Chippewa Flowage in his teen years.  He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Winter, WI throughout his youth.  Don attended school in Hayward and moved to Antioch when he was 18 following his three older sisters.  He retired in 1996 as a Maintenance Foreman at Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) after 42 years in Waukegan, IL.  He also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1961 stationed in Korea.  Don had a mechanical mind and an ability of being able to fix anything since he was a small child and up until his death.  Don enjoyed many things: repairing various machines in his garage, splitting endless cords of firewood with the log splitters he made, fishing, hunting for deer and ruffed grouse, gardening, canning, and volunteering his time to many organizations he belonged to - Fishing Has No Boundaries, Chequamegon Lions Club, Hayward Rod & Gun Club, Chippewa Flowage Property Owners Association, the Hayward Senior Center, Northern Illinois Conservation Club (NICC), Antioch and Hayward Moose Lodges.  Don also was a firm believer in our 2nd Amendment right and was a proud NRA member for many years. 

On July 6, 1968, Don married Donna (Ballwanz) in Antioch, IL. They had four children and lived in Antioch until 2005 when they moved back to Hayward, WI.  Together, they organized many Door County Style fish boils over the years as fund-raisers for several of the organizations they were involved with.

Don is survived by his four children: Scott (Kerri) Schroeder of Cape Coral, FL; Greg Schroeder of Grayslake, IL; Cindy Yelden of Antioch, IL; and Dave (Michele) Lessard of Poplar Grove, IL. Grandchildren:  Chase and Ben Schroeder of Cape Coral, FL; Adam, Erynn and Keaton Schroeder of Grayslake, IL; Josh Yelden of Chicago, IL; Luke Yelden of Antioch, IL; Breanne and Shae Lessard of Poplar Grove, IL.  Siblings: Arlene Crawford of Antioch, IL; Shirley Andersen of Venice, FL; Carol Bolton of Lake Villa, IL; Jeanie (Don) Sieler of Paddock Lake, WI; Kathy Sanders of Dallas, TX; Paul (Linda) Lessard of Trevor, WI.  Many nieces, nephews and cousins.  In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother Neil.

Visitation for Don will begin at 12:00 noon Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the BRATLEY FUNERAL HOME OF HAYWARD, 15571 W Co Hwy B. Memorial services with military honors will commence at 2PM.  In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Fishing Has No Boundaries, Hayward, WI chapter; or Chequamegon Lions Club, Hayward, WI; or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Don’s memory.