Donald Gerhard Leckness, 80, passed away on Jan. 7, 2013, in Rochester, Minn.

Donald Gerhard Leckness was born on Dec. 30, 1932, the son of Addison and Claudine (Kyllo) Leckness in Hayfield, Minn. He attended rural school district No. 98 in Dexter, Minn. Donald served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956, and was a member of the Hayfield American Legion Rothie Post No. 330. He was united in marriage to Nancy Fleener on April 9, 1955, in Fort McClellan, Ala. Donald enjoyed tinkering, farming and working with his cattle.

Donald is survived by his children, JorAnn Cady, Chisholm, Minn.; Eugene (Suzanne) Leckness, Hayfield; Allison Combs, Memphis, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; twin sister, Donna Bates, Little Falls, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Nancy in 2004; and two sisters.

The funeral service for Donald Gerhard Leckness will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 104 First St. SE, Hayfield with the Rev. Paul Hauschild officiating. Visitation will be 9:30-11 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield with military honors by the Hayfield American Legion Rothie Post No. 330. The family prefers memorials to the Humane Society in Austin, Hayfield Ambulance, Hayfield American Legion or the Veterans Memorial Park in Hayfield. Czaplewski Family Funeral Home in Hayfield is in charge of arrangements.