Donald Haueter Obituary

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, Donald Lester Haueter, Sr., 83, passed away in hospice care at home with loved ones in Leslie, Michigan.
He was born on September 19, 1938 to Harold and Lois Haueter (both deceased), and grew up in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Don was married to Lonna (Jenerou) Bear early on in life where his first four children were born: Cynthia Calhoun, Jeannine (Steve) Haueter, Donald Jr. (Michelle) Haueter, and Leslie (James) Lee.
Don worked as a Millwright at Oldsmobile in Lansing, MI, from 1960 until he retired in 2000. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Family driving vacations were always a fun time for Don. He enjoyed riding his Gold Wing out on the open road. In 1988 he met Patricia Jo Sweet at a motorcycle rally in Cody, Wyoming, and soon after they were married. Don and Pat loved their rides together and spent much of their time involved with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) and Mid-Michigan Riders. They were named the Chapter 'L' Couple of the Year in 1996. With Don's marriage to Pat, Don gained four more children: Thomas (Penny) Kaiser, Kelli (Robert) Hart, Kip (Tina) Kaiser, and Dan (Katrice) Sweet. Patricia predeceased Don in September of 2010. Don had a full life with his 8 children and their spouses/partners, as well as 28 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Don enjoyed his annual visits to Aruba. He was an island mainstay, being the first US citizen to buy into one of the resorts before it was ever built. He never missed a year beginning in 1984. There were so many friends and great times. Don enjoyed the friendship with his coworkers until the very end. They spent many hours at union meetings and lunches. They will all miss him dearly.
Don was a fighter over the past 8 years. He beat stage 4 cancer and was determined to beat this current diagnosis, but there were just too many odds stacked against him. We're all proud of you Don for trying to stick it out. Rest peacefully. You are loved and will be missed daily.
No formal funeral service is being planned, however, there will be a memorial service for Donald at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 1111 N. Cedar Street, Mason, MI on Saturday, August 13, 2022 from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, that people make donations in support of the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906 in honor of their beloved dog, Cody. The family has entrusted arrangements to the Mills Funeral Home, Peters & Murray Chapel, Grand Ledge. Online condolences may be placed at www.millsfuneral.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald, please visit our floral store.