Donald G. Hunecke

Donald George Hunecke, the son of Edwin and Ruth Hunecke was born on April 24, 1923, in Frontenac, Minnesota. On June 24, 1951, Don was united in marriage to June “Charlotte” Weed at the Church of the Brethren in Surrey, North Dakota. He was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and great uncle. Don was born and raised in Frontenac, Minnesota. He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the depression about the ninth grade. He spent two years in the CCC camp planting trees. Don planted trees in Hay Creek, Lake City, Fergus Falls and then eventually in Terry, Montana. Don was a WWII veteran. Donald Hunecke did basic training in Little Rock Arkansas and he did engineer harbor craft training in Texas. He was shipped to Fort Ord in California after Texas. The original plan was that he was going to be shipped to Iwo Jima but instead he was shipped to Noumea, New Caledonia. He boarded the General John Pope on December 10, 1943, and arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia around Christmas 1943. New Caledonia was one of several French territories in the South Pacific located 914 miles east of Australia and 1400 miles north of New Zealand. Don worked on PT boats and other mid-sized naval boats. He left New Caledonia in February of 1946 at the age of 23. Don’s brother Robert Hunecke was stationed in the Philippines Islands. Robert was a Corporal in the US army 115th Engineer Combat Battalion, 40th Infantry Division. Robert stepped on a landmine and was killed instantly on May 14, 1945. Don was an avid hunter and his passion was deer hunting, which he did until his eighties. Don was committed to working hard for his children, so they could have a better life. Don is preceded in death by his parents; wife, June; brother, Robert; special nephews, Marion, Roger and Richard; and special niece, Joan. Don is survived by his sister, Nancy Freeman; three children, Larry, Stan (Betty), and Tim; seven grandchildren, Jamie (Aaron), Justin (Mandy), Jessica (Mitch), Kyle, Ryan (Ashley), Lisa and Erin (Derek); eleven great-grandchildren; and many special nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service, officiated by Gordon Gathright, will be held on Friday (2/9) at 11:00 AM at Wise Family Funeral Home, 400 Spring St., Hastings. A visitation will be held on Thursday (2/8) from 4:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home and 1 hour prior to the funeral on Friday. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery. Military Honors provided by VFW Lyle Russell Post 1210. Memorials preferred to MN Veteran’s Home of Hastings. Wise Family Funeral & Cremation Services is serving the family. Visit WiseFamilyFH.com to sign the online tribute page and view the memorial video.