WESTERHAUSEN

Donald R., Sr., age 82, of Apple Valley, passed away Saturday, March 22, 2014, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville, of natural causes.
Don was born on July 31, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois to Regina (May) and Robert Westerhausen. He grew up in the Clarendon Hills area of Chicago. He started working at White Castle in 1948. After graduating from Hinsdale High School in 1949 he joined the Air Force. He was a medic in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954 and received the National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals. After being discharged in 1954, Don returned to White Castle and worked there until 1973. He transferred to the Minneapolis/St. Paul White Castle plant in 1973 where he was the Assistant General Manager. Don retired from White Castle in 1976 after 28 years of employment. In June, 1957, Don married Donna Rockrohr at Zion Lutheran Church in Tinley Park, Illinois. Don is survived by their two children, Donald (JoAnne) of Granger, Indiana, and David of Tinley Park, Illinois. Also surviving are four grandchildren, David, Donnie (Jillian), Christie, and Jonathan, and two great-grandchildren, Ryland and Rorey. Don was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Lenard; and one sister, Lois. While living in Tinley Park, Don served on Independent School District 146 Board of Education for many years. He served as president of the Board before he retired in 1973. Don and his family relocated to Apple Valley, Minnesota, in 1973. He served on Independent School District 196 Board of Education in Rosemount from 1978 to 1994. In 1980 Don received a BA and Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota. He worked for the Dakota County Technical College in the Financial Aid Department from 1981 to 1993. Don and his family attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rosemount, Minnesota. He taught Sunday School and served as superintendent. In later years he attended Grace Lutheran Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Since 2010 Don resided at Augustana Health Care Center in Apple Valley. He greatly enjoyed living at Augustana. He met many wonderful people and loved walking the halls for exercise and greeting friends. He was involved in many activities including visiting tours, Bible Study group, and leadership of the Chapel. Don will always be remembered as a man of wisdom and integrity who was always willing to help others. He loved being involved and meeting new people. He was always quick with a joke and loved to tease. He will be truly missed. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at Grace Lutheran Church, 7800 150th Street West, Apple Valley. Visitation will begin at 9:00am and funeral service at 10:00am. Burial will follow at 12:45, Lane # 5, at the Fort Snelling Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Henry W. Anderson Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ELCA World Hunger Fund at www.elca.org/hunger.