Donald L. Elsasser, 85, of Aiken SC, died Friday, December 30, 2011 at his residence. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 1pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, Aiken. Interment with military honors will follow at Southlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. Mary's Building Fund, PO Box 439, Aiken, SC, 29803. Tentative plans are for the family to receive friends at Smith Hall next to St. Mary Church after the interment. Don was born November 3, 1926 to Frank and Mildred Breece Elsasser, in Winner, SD. He attended and graduated from Wood High School, Wood, SD in 1944. After graduation he worked on a cattle ranch, played in a dance band on weekends, and was employed briefly at Hastings Naval Ammunition Plant. He joined the Army in 1954 and served a tour in the Army of Occupation, Germany. Following discharge from the Army, he again joined the dance band. The band toured the North Central States and Canada. He attended Conn Vocational School, Indiana for band instrument repair, and was then employed in Sioux Falls, SD. He married Rosemary Dohmen in October 1950. On commencement of the Korean War he was employed at Black Hills Ordnance Depot, SD. There he joined the Ammunition Inspector Program. He was subsequently assigned to Wingate Army Depot, NM; Ordnance Ammunition Command, IL; Seneca Army Depot, NY; Letterkenny Army Depot, PA; and the Joint US Military Advisory Group, Thailand. On return to the US, he was assigned to Second US Army HQ, MD and the Army Materiel Command in Washington, DC. He served a tour at the Pentagon, then returned to AMC, where he retired in January1982 with 34 years of service. He and Rosemary moved to Aiken in 1983. He was a communicant of St Mary Help of Christians Church, a third Degree member Knights of Columbus Council 3684, and a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He also participated in perpetual adoration at St Claire Chapel for many years. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother and a sister. Don is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Rosemary; two children, Cheri Rob Maier, Chesapeake, VA, and David Katie Elsasser, Charlotte, NC; a brother, Robert Elsasser, Hot Springs, SD; five grandchildren, Anthony Maier, Tracey Maier, Jonathan Elsasser, Brandon Elsasser and Anna Elsasser; and several nieces and nephews. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Robert Elsasser, James Dohmen, Louie Skrondahl, Ray Kotchian, Joshua Pauli, James McMichael, Dick Washburn, Harlan Holdefer, Helen Sickler, Lyle Donaldson, Willard Phillips, and Mary Gray.