Dessie Faye Kleinhammer

Dessie Faye Kleinhammer, age 101 of Chippewa Falls, WI died peacefully on July 15th, 2026, at Chippewa Manor Nursing and Rehab under the care of their devoted healthcare staff and Heartland Hospice.

She was born at home to I.V. and Emily (Alter) Farrier in Henry County IA on September 7, 1924, and graduated Moline IL High School in 1943. Her career choice was bookkeeping. Dessie married Dean Conner in 1946. They had three children; Tim, Sue and Terry. Dean preceded her in death in 1959. She married John R. Magnuson in 1960. They had one son, John. Her husband, John, preceded her in death in 1993. She married Edward Kleinhammer in 1999, who preceded her in death in 2013.

Dessie's life is a wonderful story of love, determination, resilience and humor.  As a young girl in the Great Depression years, her family moved frequently to find work in a Model T Ford. The family traveled to many states; including Iowa, Texas, Colorado and Illinois. They returned their to Iowa roots to continue farming during the WWII years.

While living in Moline, IL, Dessie met her husband, Dean. She worked as a bookkeeper for John Deere, and after Dean's passing, she continued to work to support her young family, as a single mom.

After her marriage to John, they purchased the Clear Lake Resort near Hayward, WI, and ran the resort for eight years. After selling the resort in 1971, they moved to Venice, FL. There she continued bookkeeping work until they moved back to WI. In 1986 they purchased the Park Motel in Osseo. After John's passing, the motel was sold and she returned to Hayward full time. Inspired by the hospice caregiving for John, she was a hospice volunteer for several years.

In 1999 Dessie married Ed, who she met through bible study at Hayward Wesleyan Church. They lived 13 years in retirement on Lake Windigo, near Hayward.

After Ed's passing, Dessie moved to Chippewa Falls to be closer to family. She chose to live at Chippewa Manor Residential Living, where she was greeted warmly by staff & residents and enjoyed activities, making new friends, and attending chapel services for many years.  Dessie enjoyed friendly and competitive card and board games. She took a genuine interest in everyone she met. She taught us the value of hard work, kindness and always kept her sense of humor.

Dessie is survived by her children, Sue Hinckley of Lisle, IL, and Terry (Julie) Magnuson of Altoona, WI; six grandchildren, Nathan (Linda) Bebar, Ryan Bebar, Jay (Maggie) Hinckley, Amy (Wes) Simms, Jaime (Justin) Spaulding, and Lindsey (Ryan) McLaughlin; 11 beautiful great-grandchildren; her wonderful nieces and nephews; and dear friends.

Dessie was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Dean in 1959, John in 1993, and Ed in 2013; sons, Tim and John; her sister, Viola, brothers Dell, Clifford and Ernest.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Chippewa Manor, 222 Chapman Road, Chippewa Falls, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastors Carl Tripani and Paul Bennett will be officiating. A private family graveside interment at Osseo Cemetery will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dessie's name can be given to the Chippewa Manor Activities Fund or the Irvine Park Zoo.

Dessie's family would like to express gratitude to all the staff at the Chippewa Manor Campus for their excellent and loving care of Dessie where she lived for the last 12 years.  A special thank you to Heartland Hospice for the additional care & support.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Eau Claire is serving the family.  

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