Donald Kenneth Heise

Donald Kenneth Heise, 85, of Westminster, California passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, with his daughters by his side. He is survived by his three daughters, Gail (Vincent) MacIsaac of San Dimas, CA; Lori (Brad) Steward of Albuquerque, NM; Sheri (Eric) Stachowiak of Garden Grove, CA; six grandchildren, Heather (Jeremy), Michael (Katelynn), Matthew (Kari), Kevin, Gina and Dominic; two great-grandchildren, Abbey and Wyatt (children of Michael and Katelynn); and five step-great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Sean, Jason, Cory and Austin (children of Heather and Jeremy). He is further survived by his brother, Max Heise of Port Washington, WI; several sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ila (nee Marquardt); grandson, Ryan Steward; parents, Max and Nellie (nee Gehrke) Heise; sister, Norma Erdman; brother, Carlton Heise; brother-in-law, Carl Erdman; sister-in-law, Marjorie Heise; and sister-in-law, Charlotte Heise. Donald (Don) was born to Max and Nellie Heise in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 15, 1935. He was the youngest of four children and was baptized at home on July 14, 1935 by Reverend E. Blakewell. As a child, he attended Bartlett Avenue School and graduated from Custer High School in 1953. In 1957, at the age of 22, Don met his future wife, Ila, and that same year he also joined the U.S. Army. Don and Ila were engaged on Christmas Eve of 1957, and soon after Don was stationed in Nuremberg, Germany. Ila joined him in Germany on July 5, 1958, and the two were married on July 9, 1958, by a German judge and then in a chapel by an U.S. Army colonel who was a pastor. Their first child, Gail, was born in Germany in June 1959. After returning to Milwaukee in November 1959, Don and Ila welcomed two more daughters, Lori (born in 1960) and Sheri (born in 1965). Don and Ila were married 53 years until the passing of Ila in 2011. In 1960, Don began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in Milwaukee. In 1968, after delivering mail during the cold, snowy winters for eight years, Don and Ila decided to move their family to California. Don interviewed in Chicago and received a transfer to the Seal Beach, California Post Office. Neither Don nor Ila had ever been to California. After selling their little house on Leon Terrace in Milwaukee, they began the trip to Southern California in the family Dodge station wagon towing a small U-Haul trailer filled with all their possessions. Within a few months, they had purchased their home on Abbey Drive in Westminster. Don retired from the Postal Service in 1990 after 30 years of service. In retirement, Don and Ila enjoyed traveling to all fifty states and Canada; cruising the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal; visiting the Holy Land and Europe; and returning often to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. Don also liked using his woodworking skills to make toy boxes, trucks and other gifts for his family, grandchildren and friends. Don was a faithful and dedicated member of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Garden Grove, California where he made many lifelong friends. Don served in many capacities throughout the years and was always glad to help the church, friends and those in need. In recent years, he regularly attended Wednesday morning breakfasts and “Golden Gen” activities with his church friends. Don enjoyed living in his home on Abbey Drive for over 52 years. He was often seen sitting in his garage in his recliner with his dog, Harper, by his side. He truly loved his neighbors and always had a friendly wave and a smile as they passed by. Don loved God, his family and friends, the Green Bay Packers and his ever-faithful dog, Harper. Harper and Don rescued each other in 2016. She became his four-legged companion and a member of our family. Don and Harper enjoyed spending warm afternoons at the dog park and the dog beach. The two of them were rarely apart, and she was truly Don’s best friend in his later years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Donald Heise to: King of Kings Lutheran Church www.kingofkingsgg.org Or can be mailed to: King of Kings Luteran Church 13431 Newhope Street Garden Grove, CA 92843

OR: Joni & Friends, a Christian Disability Ministry www.joniandfriends.org Or can be mailed to: Joni & Friends P.O. Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376-3333

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