Obituary of Donald D. Hale

Donald Dean Hale, 73, of Mora passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at First Light Health System in Mora. He was born on February 12, 1943 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to William and Evelyn (Shoemaker) Hale. Donald grew up in Iowa and attended school near Cedar Rapids. Donald worked several jobs over the years and most recently at Grand Casino in Hinckley as an environmental technician. While working at the casino he met fellow employee, Charis Hershey in 2000 and they have been together ever since. He enjoyed fishing, boating, bowling and especially loved animals. Donald took care of many stray animals over the years and found good homes for them. He even rescued a group of baby chicks that were abandoned at the dump. He was a wonderful story teller and had many good stories over the years. Donald was preceded in death by his infant twin brother, father in 1978, mother in 1994, brother Dennis in 2010, and daughter Shelly Hale in 2014. He is survived by his fiancée forever Charis Hershey of Mora, children Richard Hale of Mora, Cathy (Danny) Satter of Pine City, Chuck (Erica) Hale of Sandstone, Robert (Lisa) Hershey of St. Cloud, three grand- children Mckayla Smith, Chelsea Etter and Mason Hershey, step sons Dale (Jennifer) Teter and family of Coon Rapids, James Teter and family of Mora, brothers David (Donna) Shoemaker of Spokane, WA, Bob (Dona), sister Ruth (Arnie) Juhl of Cedar Rapids, IA, extended family Sharron Starlet of Ramsey, Tina (Chris) Christenson of Mora, Aaron, Austin and Haley, his furry friends Foxy, SaraLee and Alley, as well as many other relatives and friends.