Dr. Inman Adolph Hesla, 90, Austin

Published 10:53am Thursday, February 7, 2013
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Dr. Inman Adolph Hesla, 90, of Austin, Minn., died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at Mayo Clinic Health System–Austin surrounded by his family.

Inman A. Hesla

Born June 2, 1922, to Inman Albert and Agnes B. (Brendsel) Hesla in Wakonda, S.D., he grew up on a farm in Clay County and graduated from Augustana Academy in Canton, S.D. After attending Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. for two years, Inman enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for 3 1/2 years. Ensign Hesla was involved in the Battle of Iwo Jima. After his discharge from the Navy, Inman returned to college at Augustana, graduating in 1947 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He went on to study medicine at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion for two years before transferring to Southwestern Medical School/University of Texas in Dallas, where he graduated in 1951 with a doctor of medicine degree.

In the meantime, Inman married Lois B. Larson on July 24, 1949, in Sisseton, S.D. Moving to Minnesota, Dr. Hesla served an internship at Charles Miller Hospital in St. Paul. The couple moved to Austin in July of 1952. Dr. Hesla delivered 2,996 babies during his 34 years at the Austin Medical Center. In the spring of 1970, he served as a volunteer doctor during the Viet Nam war in Quang Tri. A respected member of the Austin community, Dr. Hesla was active at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. He enjoyed woodworking, gardening, camping and bird watching. He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by his family, friends and the Austin community.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Hesla of Austin; three sons, Todd (Karen) Hesla, Joseph (Bonnie Beckel) Hesla and Bret (Jaimie Bennett) Hesla, all of Minneapolis; one daughter, Beth (Gregory Scholtz) Hesla of Waverly, Iowa; seven grandchildren, Peter Scholtz, Rebecca Scholtz, Anna (Audun) Hepsø, Paul Scholtz, Samuel Hesla, Rosina Hesla and Jeremy Kleider; a sister, Joyce Lee of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a brother, Loren (Iris) Hesla of Dallas, Texas; many nieces, nephews, patients, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, as well as two sisters, Arlene and Helen.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with AIM Todd Portinga officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, with a flag presentation by the American Legion Post No. 91. The family prefers that memorials be directed to the St. Olaf Church Endowment Fund or to Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.

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  • Merville Olson

    Lois and family we morn as those who have a sure hope in Christ. Good memories of our time together at Our Saviors and sister Marilyn who did baby sitting for you. Retired and living in Bozeman Montana. Pastor Merv Olson.

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    • Todd Hesla

      Dear Merv,

      Thanks for your kind words. Yes, you are right–we have a sure and certain hope in Christ. What a joy!

      I (and the rest of our family, too–including Dad) have many, many very happy memories of our time at Our Saviors, during which I got to know Dale, who became my best friend in grade school and high school. And I remember so well all the wonderful times that we had when Marilyn babysat for us. She was such a warm, cheerful, and fun-loving person. I remember her very clearly–fond memory. I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know you because of our age difference, but I do remember your ordination service at Our Saviors.

      And I remember so very, very well your two wonderful parents. They are two of the happiest, most cheerful people I have ever known, and it’s clear that you “kids” have the same wonderful trait. It was always so fun visiting at your home. You were such gracious hosts.

      Send me your contact info and we can keep in touch.

      Yours truly,

      Todd Hesla
      todd.hesla@gmail.com

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