Donald “Donny” J. Hauck, 81, Richardton, died Saturday, June 4, 2011 at St. Alexius Health Center, Bismarck. Donny’s funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2011 at River of Life Church International with Pastor James Hessler officiating. Entombment will follow at the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation will be Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a time of sharing at 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service. Visitation will continue hour prior to service time at the church. Donny saw the face of His Lord and Savior on June 4, 2011 while at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck. He suffered a severe brain injury from an accidental fall at his ranch north of Richardton on May 6th.
Donny was born the fifth of seven children, on January 3, 1930 at Richardton, North Dakota to John F. Hauck and Leopoldina “Lena” Frederick. He graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and attended Assumption Abbey High School in Richardton for a short time. It was then necessary for him to earn a living for himself so that he wouldn’t be a burden on the family. At the age of eleven he began his long relationship with William “Bill” Hamann. He milked the Hamman’s cow in exchange for half the milk for his family. He learned the livestock trade from Bill, who was President of the Western Livestock Company, where Donny was employed until 1953. At that time, he and his wife Clara took over management of the Hamann Ranch north of Richardton. In 1964, he and the family moved to Dickinson where he opened and ran the Big Sky Laundry for almost a year. He then returned to the ranch and took over ownership where he remained until his passing.
Donny married Clara Thielen on June 5, 1950 at St. Joseph’s Church in Dickinson and were to celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary the day after his passing. Six children were born to them Donalda “Donnie”, Neil, Jane, Galen, Laura, and Juliane.
In 1979, in partnership with his son Neil he began “Don Hauck Trucking”. For twenty years they traveled a wide area hauling coal, hay, grain, and cattle. At the same time they farmed the land and built their herds of Black Angus cattle.
Donny enjoyed traveling anywhere for an adventure and fellowship with people. He had a deep and quiet faith in his Lord and Savior, which was exhibited by serving and loving people. He sought out anyone with whom to converse finding genuine interest in the lives of others. He loved to play on words such as a motorcycle was a “cycle-bycle” and he was fond of “driving the farm around”. With sincerity of heart he often spoke “Praises to the Lord”. You were very dear to him if he assigned you with a nickname. His children loved to hear the clever play on their names. Donny had a keen wit and a happy disposition. While gravely ill he still had a smile for a visitor or the medical staff. He enjoyed good music and was very supportive of his wife Clara’s many performances or that of the Metropolitan Opera performances in Minneapolis. His favorite TV programs were orchestras and choirs performing classical music. ”Shenandoah” and “Climb Every Mountain” were two of his favorite secular songs.
Donny was instrumental in forming the Richardton Rural Fire District. He served as its first president for six years and drove its first fire truck from Tipton, Indiana to Richardton. He served simultaneously on both the St. Mary’s School Board and the Public School board in Richardton, while his children were attending both schools.
He is survived by his wife, Clara; children, Donnie (Michael) Strei, Neil (Bobbie Weiler), Jane Schank, Galen (Diane Messer), Laura (Kelvin) Heinsen and Juliane (Bryan) Berger, 18 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; his brothers Rich (Joan) Hauck, Spearfish S.D., Robert (Helen) Hauck, Centralia, Wash.; brother-in-law Joe Enderle, Richardton; sister-in-law Aleen Hauck, Hemet, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mary Enderle, Irene (Wes) Tucker; brothers Leo and Raymond, sister-in-law Rosella; and granddaughter Kelsey Heinsen.
In memory of Donny your donation is greatly appreciated to the Gideon’s International, which provides bibles around the world (www.gideons.org). The Gideons International, Taylor Gideon Camp, PO Box 1462, Dickinson, ND 58601.
