November 11, 1919 - April 14, 2023
Virgil N. Heesch, 103, of Willmar, died Friday, April 14 at Copperleaf in Willmar. His funeral will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 19 at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Titonka with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Funeral arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org
Virgil was born on the family farm on Nov. 11, 1919, in Titonka the son of Nick and Charlotte (Geisking) Heesch. He was baptized and confirmed at Good Hope Lutheran Church and attended Titonka Consolidated School. Following his schooling, he worked on the family farm when he met Jeanette Swalve. They were married on Oct. 13, 1941, at The Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua. They made their home on the farm in Ledyard, Buffalo Center and Titonka.
After retiring off the farm, they moved to Forest City in 1980 where he began his “second career” driving school bus. He drove for Forest City School, driving a regular route and then began driving for the girls softball team. He made many close relationships with players and coaches. He retired at the age of 86.
In October of 2007, he moved to Willmar, Minn. to be closer to his family. He maintained his own apartment till he was 98 when he finally moved into Copperleaf Assisted Living.
Surviving are his children, Roslyn Harms of Plymouth, Paul (Marlene) Heesch of Waite Park and Sheryl (Phil) Mulder of Prinsburg; six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Jeanette, in 2007; sons-in-law, Duane Sheldahl in 2007 and Herb Harms in 2016; great-grandson, Noah Mellema in 2010; two brothers and two sisters.
He will be remembered for his neatness, being early, a hardworker and providing a Christian Home!