Donald Omar Hilligoss I

Donald, age 93, passed from this life on August 29th, the same date his son left us 7 years ago.

He was born on October 23, 1930 to Omar and Leota (Ryburn) Hilligoss in Alexandria, SD. The family moved to Owatonna, MN where he attended his first year of school. His father’s job with Chevrolet, relocated them to Minneapolis where he graduated from the U of MN. When getting ready to graduate, he recognized a name from Kindergarten, Dorothy Wandrey. They married a few months later and began their wonderful, long life of adventure that lasted 72 years.

Having attended St. Thomas Military Academy, he entered the US Army as a lieutenant. After a short stretch in New York City he was called to serve as an intelligence officer in Korea. He was very proud of his military service.

In 1955, they moved to Hibbing to join the Hilligoss Chevrolet dealership, later Ranger GM, where he was actively involved for over 65 years. It was a great blessing to him that his son, Don joined the business in 1980. Even at 90, he would dress for the day and head to the banks and post office before going to the dealership, where he thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the staff and customers.

He was happy supporting the community in which he lived. He enjoyed music and theater, the highlight being cast as Horace Vandergilder in Hello Dolly with no prior acting experience. He was honored to serve a year as Titan of Taconite.

His faith and church were very important to him. He served as senior warden of St. James for many years. Rotary was also a group he felt strongly about and the service they provide to the community. Over the years he and Dorothy hosted many Rotary foreign exchange students, several have remained life long friends. He served on many boards including Evangelism commission of the Episcopal Church of MN, Rotary, President of Mesaba Concert Association, local PBS, and the Hibbing Foundation, to name a few.

He and Dorothy travelled the world from Hudson Bay to Patagonia. After visiting so many museums, historic sites and zoos, they were always happy to come back to their home in Hibbing and Minnesota. Their favorite place was Black Lake, a wilderness retreat north of Cook, MN. A private bit of the boundary waters, primitive and unspoiled with a 100 year old Finnish shack. Don’s proposal of Black Lake to reintroduce trumpeter swans to northern Minnesota was accepted by the DNR in the 1990’s and the swans have returned every year since. As a good land steward he and his family planted thousands of trees through the years and in 2016 the property was put in the Minnesota land trust so that it will remain undeveloped.

He was grateful to have had so many years of good health. We would like to thank Fairview Hospice for the compassion and support given in his last month of life.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son Don O. Hilligoss II, son-in-laws David Johnsrud and John Marshall, and brothers Bill and Jerry. He will be missed by his wife, Dorothy, daughters Betsy Marshall and Molly Johnsrud, daughter-in-law Cindy Hilligoss, and special Dutch exchange student, Freiderike. He was very proud of his grandchildren Hillary Ross (Ian), Sarah Hilligoss Moe (Andrew), Charlie Hilligoss (Grace), Daniel Johnsrud (Maren), Erik Johnsrud (Brekke) and Marin Butzer (Bryce). He was delighted by his 11 great-grandchildren, George, Ella, Salma, Julian, Ambrose, Dorothy, Orion, Thorin, Espen, Abra and Joie, seven nieces and nephews, and furry companion Bizzi.

He left his mark. His legacy will continue.

A celebration of life service led by Rev. Sally Maxwell will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 11:30am at St. James Episcopal Church, 2028 Bob Dylan Drive, Hibbing, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. James Episcopal Church, Fairview Range Hospice or a charity of your choosing.