Donald J Schisel

Mankato Mortuary
388-2202

Donald Joe Schisel, age 77 of Mankato died Monday, May 30, 2011 at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2011 at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Dr. Scott Olson officiating. Burial will be 12 noon Saturday, June 4, 2011 at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery in Hull, Iowa. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato Hospice Department or to an organization of the donor's choice.

Donald was born January 11, 1934 in Thompson, Iowa to George and Lucille (Woodward) Schisel. He entered the United States Army in January 1955. He served his active duty until honorably discharged in January 1958. Don continued his military career in the Active Army Reserve and retired as an MSGT. During his service time he received several honors and awards. After serving his active military duty, he attended Mankato Commercial College and Mankato State University. On February 8, 1959, he was united in marriage to Betty Behrens in Hull, IA. They made their home in Mankato and raised three sons, Bradley, Rodney, and Daniel. Don was an NSP employee for over 33 years in various positions, including a major account representative and had even received the NSP Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award for the Mankato Division.

Being a longtime member and past Post Commander of the American Legion Post 11, he volunteered with the firing squad for over 34 years, falling out over 500 times. He served on the 40 & 8 Voituer 281 as Chef de Gare. Don umpired and coached Babe Ruth league baseball. He was a past member and President of Mankato Jaycees and a past member of Elk's. He was a current member of Moose Lodge and Grace Lutheran Church.

Don is lovingly survived by his wife, Betty of Mankato; three sons, Bradley (Janelle) Schisel of Mankato, Rodney (Susan) Schisel of New Ulm, Daniel Schisel of Mankato; seven grandchildren, Amanda and Alex Schisel, Melissa, Jessica, and Nicholas Schisel, Jacob and Natalie Schisel; sister, Joyce (Arlan) Steen of Sun City, AZ; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a half-brother, Clayton Schisel in Iowa. He is also survived by his in-laws, Harley (Miriam) Behrens, Verna (Bob) Sohl, Bill (Ruth) Behrens, Elmer Behrens, Wilma (Donnie) Ransom, and Helen Behrens.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, George Schisel and Lucille Schisel Dunn; sisters, Louella Juveland and Gloria Schisel; brothers, Lewis, Kenneth, Alvin, and Marvin Schisel; a niece and a nephew; half-brother, Boyd Schisel; in-laws, Vernon, Walt, Arnold, and Frances.