Dominic Arthur Hillesheim

DOMINIC ARTHUR HILLESHEIM

Dominic (“Dom”) Hillesheim passed away on Nov. 18, 2011 surrounded by his family at Season’s Hospice in Rochester, MN. Dominic was born in Springfield, MN on Aug. 26, 1947, to Sylvester and Mary Hillesheim. He attended St. Raphael Catholic School and graduated from Springfield High School in 1965. In 1969, he graduated from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN with a BS in Natural Science, and later obtained a BS in mathematics from Mankato State University. While at St. John’s University, he was a member of the men’s chorus, which won a number of awards and completed tours throughout the U.S and Europe. Dominic married Sandra Harris at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Minneapolis, MN in 1969. They moved to Dodge Center where they raised their two children, Lindsey and Michael.

Dom taught math and science for 34 years in the Dodge Center/Triton School District, retiring in 2003. In addition to teaching, he was an assistant football coach for over 30 years at Dodge Center/Triton, and was awarded the Butch Nash Award in 1991, by the Minnesota High School Football Coaches Association for outstanding contributions as an assistant coach. He also served as the athletic director at Dodge Center from 1977 to 1990. Outside of academics, Dom ran a successful lawn mowing service for nearly 20 years and worked part-time at the Kasson Hardware Hank in his retirement.

Dom continued to sing after college in various community choirs. He bowled for many years, but more recently took up golfing. He loved fishing and planned the annual fishing trip for his family. Dom was very interested in Civil War history and one of his last trips was to visit Gettysburg. Dom above all was a loving husband, a great father and grandpa, and a dear friend and neighbor.

Dominic is survived by his wife Sandy, his children, Lindsey Hillesheim of Arlington, VA and Michael (Lauren) Hillesheim of Lakewood, CO; his grandson, Quinton Hillesheim also of Lakewood; his brothers, Vincent (Barbara) Hillesheim of Cheboygan, MI and Jeffrey (Rebecca) Hillesheim of Rogers, MN; and his sister Annie (Dennis) Grapevine of Brooklyn Park, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, November 23rd at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Baptist De La Salle Catholic Church in Dodge Center, MN. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 22nd from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Czaplewski Funeral Home in Dodge Center. Memorials will be donated to pancreatic cancer research at Mayo Clinic. Blessed be his memory.