Danny Hemming

Danny Lee Hemming, of Sleepy Eye, MN, lost his courageous battle with lung cancer the evening of Sunday, March 9th 2014. Danny was born February 7, 1953 in Gaylord, MN to Helen Swenstad (Papke) and Robert L. Hemming. As a child, Danny spent his early years moving frequently with his family until graduating from Sleepy Eye Public School in 1970. After high school, Danny served briefly in the U.S. Army, upon which returning to Sleepy Eye. Danny completed the auto body program at Detroit Lakes Vocational School, and began his career as an auto body technician. Shortly after, he met the love of his life, Debra Harms, and the two were united in marriage in the state of Louisana. It was then that Danny began his lifelong career as an owner/operator long-haul truck driver, which he continued up until his diagnosis of lung cancer on January 10th, 2013. Over the years, Danny logged literally millions of miles hauling goods across the United States. Danny fathered two children. Jayme came first in 1971 and was born to Marilyn Marquardt. In 1981, he and Debbie gave birth to their Angel (Angelica), who was suddenly taken from us on April 13th, 2013. Danny, Debbie, and Angel began their life as a family in Madison Lake, MN, after which they moved to Federal Way, WA and then to Pheonix, AZ. Ultimately, they would end up back home in Sleepy Eye where he lived until his passing. Danny had many loves and passions, but none more than his rock, Debbie. Danny was a guitar player, and played in his own band, Ruffcutt while living in Madison Lake. There, he also co-managed a music store with his buddy Stix, and spent his time between the store and the road. Danny also loved muscle cars, which he owned and restored. His most memorable was his 1967 Pontiac LeMans. He and Debbie completed an off-frame total restoration of that car, which he would then race at Brainerd International Raceway. Danny discovered his passion of sound production later in life, and, along with Debbie, would spend weekends running sound for bands and musicians throughout southern Minnesota and in the Twin Cities. Danny and Deb produced countless events and music festivals, and Danny's keen ears would win him the respect of even more musicians and his peers. Danny also realized his dream of owning his own music store, which he opened in New Ulm, MN. Due to a shrinking economy, he was forced to close his doors after just a few short years. Finally, Danny loved the Minnesota Twins. From spring training all the way through to October, Danny would faithfully listen and watch his team through their own ups and downs, and was fortunate enough to visit Target Field with Debbie for a midsummer game. Danny came to know the Lord Jesus Christ and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye. It is because of this fact that Debbie and his family are content with the knowledge that Danny is now in no more pain, and is rejoicing with his Angel and his mother Helen. Danny was preceded in Death by his daughter, Angel, mother Helen Swenstad, mother-in-law Mary Hass, stepfather Harlan Swenstad, aunt Gloria Klement, and uncles Frank and Frederick Papke. Danny is faithfully survived by his adoring wife Debbie of Sleepy Eye, father Robert L. Hemming and stepmother Marlene of Kent, WA, son Jayme Cluka of Woodbury, MN, brother Donan Hemming and sister-in-law Cheryl of Sleepy Eye, brother Scott Swenstad (Sara) of New Ulm, MN, brother Robert Burson (Donna) of Harrison Arkansas, sister Missy Rhoades of Portland, Oregon, sister-in-law Lori Harms of Sleepy Eye, son-in-law Stephen Kostoff of New Ulm, grandchildren Brady and Lexi (Jayme), Xander and Madison (Angel), cousins Allan and Tommy Klement, Cathy and Richard Schnobrich, and many nieces and nephews. Debbie and family would like to extend their utmost gratitude to Dr. Murthy of Sleepy Eye Medical Center, Dr. Ranginwala and Dr. Owens of Mayo Clinic and Andreas Cancer Center in Mankato, the entire staff at Immanual St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, the Ladies Aide of St. John's Lutheran Church in Sleepy Eye, Pastor Cordes of St. John's Lutheran Church, and The Furniture Gallery of Sleepy Eye. First Visitation 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Friday, March 14, 2014 Sturm Funeral Home, Sleepy Eye Chapel 301 - 3rd Ave. S.W. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Second Visitation 10:00 am - 11:00 am Saturday, March 15, 2014 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye 221 Walnut Street SE Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Service Information 11:00 am Saturday, March 15, 2014 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Sleepy Eye 221 Walnut Street SE Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085 Interment Information Home Cemetery 700 St. Mary's St. N.E. Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, United States 56085