Donald Hecker passed on February 17, 2023, at the age of 89. Don was the son of Raymond and Helen Hecker. He attended schools in Denmark and De Pere. At age 17 he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves and served his country for eight years.

Don and his one true love, Sally Cavil, united in marriage at St. Mary's Church in De Pere. They were fortunate to enjoy 70 years together. Don was very proud of their six beautiful daughters which he and Sally were blessed with. He initiated his 38 year career with U.S. Paper Mills Corp in De Pere the day after the birth of their first born. Starting at the bottom of the paper machine he advanced his position and was promoted to U.S. Paper Machine Superintendent. As president of Union Local 517, he was instrumental in initiating the 401k Retirement Plan into the plant.

Throughout the girl's school years, the young family enjoyed camping in Oneida County State Parks. An avid angler, Don enjoyed stalking trout in swift flowing streams with hand-tied flies or casting lines in Lake Tomahawk for the elusive musky. Fishing Lake Michigan was always an adventure. It was common knowledge that Don would rather fish than eat.

Don had the creativity to fix almost anything, while tinkering in his shop. His girls took advantage of his work bench, keeping it piled high with major repairs. It was lovingly known as Dad's Fix-it-Shop. Dad was a big hero for putting new life into broken toys.

Travel was always a source of enjoyment for the couple, and they were fortunate for the opportunity to travel extensively. Having experience driving a gravel truck and Peter's school bus, Don had no trouble mastering their new motorhome when they retired. With their puppy Skipper Buddy, the couple departed for Prince Edward Island and Novia Scotia, stopping at numerous locations including Washington D.C and Hershey, PA. It was very exciting to view Vermont in blazing fall colors from a hot air balloon.

True snowbirds for 25 years, the couple first experienced winters in Florida, then sampled Arizona and California, where they attended Pasadena Rose Bowl Parades, Sequoia National Park, and toured Mexico's Copper Canyon.

Lured by fewer miles, winter found them in Mission, TX. The most amazing tour from this vantage location was the trekking up 9000' at Michoacan, Mexico to witness the migration of the monarch butterfly.

Spring of 1998 the grass was cut, RV packer, and along with little Skipper, they departed for Bellingham, WA. They drove the RV into the hold of Marine Highway's Ferry and traveled the Inside Passage to Alaska, disembarking at each port for a few days, then reboarding and off to the next port. They traveled Alaska all summer, came home to cut the grass, and went camping so Don could fish.

Their horizons broadened and foreign travel found them in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Egypt, The United Kingdom, and Scandinavia was their favorite.

Don had all around handyman skills and took pride in his woodworking talent. He found contentment and joy when he was making sawdust. His vegetable garden was a great satisfaction, starting his plants from seed and sharing the abundant produce.

Don was a member of Nativity of the Lord Catholic Church for 47 years.

Surviving Don is his loving wife of 70 years, Sally, his daughters, Nancy, Debra (Chuck), Vicky (Michael), Dianne (Scott), Sharon (Kelly), and Bonny (Dave). He is further survived by 12 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, brother and sisters Lorraine, Millie, Mike (Mary), and sister-in-law Elaine.

Don is preceded in life by his parents, Raymond and Helen, brothers George and Ken, son-in-law Darrell, brothers-in-law Milo and Tommy. Waiting in heaven to rock him is Don's four-day old grandchild, Justin.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 11:00AM at Nativity of our Lord Catholic Church with

Fr. Matt Simonar officiating. Visitation for Don will be held prior to mass from 10:00AM. Burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

Ryan Funeral Home, De Pere, is assisting the family.