Loretta Hesse

Loretta May Schmelzer Hesse was born on January 3, 1933, to parent’s John R. Schmelzer and Laura E. Blair Schmelzer in Kennewick, WA. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kennewick. She attended Bethlehem Lutheran School for 7 years, and graduated from Kennewick High School in May 1950.

Loretta went to work for General Electric Company, contractor to the Atomic Energy Commission in Richland, WA, and also worked for Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle for 2 years.

Loretta married Donald W. Hesse on August 31, 1958 in Kennewick, WA. They had two children while in Kennewick, and two children in Thief River Falls, MN hospital. After moving to Plummer in 1964, they purchased Hesse Oil Company on main street in Plummer. Loretta worked at the service station part time and did the bookkeeping. She worked at DigiKey for 8 years until her retirement. Loretta published her own cookbook, "Homestead Favorites", a collection of favorite recipes from her friends and family.

Loretta and Don were also members of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Plummer for many years. Loretta was also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, homemakers club, and active in her community.

Loretta was the oldest of 8 children. She is survived by her children, Pamela Hesse of Sarasota, FL; Linda (Neil) Mattison of Thief River Falls, MN; and Tom (Teresa) Hesse of Valrico, FL. Jackie Hesse, daughter-in-law. Five grandchildren: Chris and Coral Mattison; Rachel, Sam, and Katie Hesse. Step-grandson Cory Mattison. Her brother Arnold Schmelzer, of Kennewick, WA; and Allen (Jeri Ann) Schmelzer of Spokane, WA. Sister: Sandra Kirkwood of Kennewick, WA; brother-in-law Al Pacheco of Olympia, WA; sisters-in-law Glennda Schmelzer of Kennewick, WA, and Marge Schmelzer of Kennewick, WA.

Loretta was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Hesse; parents Ray and Laura Schmelzer; son – Donald Hesse Jr; sisters Jean Pacheco and Carol (Jay) Berna from Kennewick, WA; brothers David Schmelzer and John Schmelzer of Kennewick, WA; brother-in-law Terry Kirkwood of Kennewick, WA.

Memorial service for Loretta will be held 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 9th 2026 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Jeffrey Lytle officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery near Red Lake Falls, MN.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Tri River Pioneers Museum in Plummer, MN.