H0026 : what is this number?
The study's number for this person. Cite it and it will always lead here, whatever the spelling.Leonard Donnell Hegnauer
Born at Wells in 1919 and died at Saint Paul in 1950.
born 4 Oct 1919 at Wells, Faribault died 5 Oct 1950 at Saint Paul, Ramsey
Life story
Wells and Minneapolis
Leonard Donnell Hegnauer was born on 4 October 1919 at Wells, in Faribault County, Minnesota, the younger son of Robert Lucius Hegnauer, a Missouri-born cattle buyer, and Lotta Alice Donnell, whose maiden name he was given as his middle name and went by.1–3 He was baptized on 9 May 1920 in the Presbyterian church at Alden, about fifteen miles away in Freeborn County, and in the census of that January he was the baby of the household, with his brother Robert, three.3–4
By 1930 the family had moved to Minneapolis, where his father travelled for a grain and feed firm; "Donnell", ten, and Robert were living with their parents on Ewing Avenue South.5 His parents later divorced, and in April 1940 Donnell, twenty, was living with his mother, then a divorced home economist, at 516 University Avenue S.E., close to the university.6 When he registered for the draft that autumn he was a student at the University of Minnesota, and he signed his card "Donnell Hegnauer".1
Family
Leonard married Phyllis Julianna Van Buren, of Wahpeton, North Dakota. Their first son, Keith Donnell, was born in Otter Tail County, in west-central Minnesota, on 28 September 1945, and a second son (living) followed.7–8 After the war Leonard went back to his studies. The 1948 St. Paul directory lists him as a student, with Phyllis, at 2414 Bayless Place, and in April 1950 the family of four was still there, sharing the house with four young men who rented rooms. Leonard, thirty, was then a research assistant in social science at the state university.8–10
Leonard died at St. Paul on 5 October 1950, the day after his thirty-first birthday. His home was then at 2414 Bayless Place. He left his wife, Phyllis, their two small sons, his mother and his brother.11–13 After a service at the Billman chapel on Monday, 9 October, he was buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.13–15 His son Keith was buried in the same cemetery in 2014.16
What we know
Proven
- Birth at Wells, 1919
- Baptism at Alden, 1920
- University at Minneapolis, 1940
- Marriage to Phyllis Julianna Van Buren, 1945
- Student at Saint Paul, 1948
- Occupation at Saint Paul, 1950
- and 2 more
- 6 homes, from the census and other records
What's still open
- Sources. His draft card, the Alden baptism register and his death notice were read on the images in the surveys of his parents' records.
- Military service (probable). A burial in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, recorded on the national-cemetery interment forms and in the VA's gravesite index, is almost always that of a veteran; he was 21 in 1940 and very probably served in the Second World War.
- Marriage. Not found. The birth indexes of both sons name Phyllis as his wife (Phyllis Julianna Van Buren; Phyllis Juliana Hegnauer).
- Death. The cause and circumstances are not known.
Sources
Sources 1–3
1 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1919
2 Web: Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1919
3 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Wells
Source 4
4 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1920
Source 5
5 1930 U.S. Federal Census, Minneapolis
Source 6
6 1940 U.S. Federal Census, Minneapolis, 1935
Sources 7–8
7 Minnesota, Birth Index, 1945
8 United States, Census, 1950, 1920
Sources 9–10
9 U.S., City Directories, 1948
10 1950 United States Federal Census, 1920
Sources 11–13
11 Minnesota, Deaths, 1950
12 Minnesota, Death Index, 1950
13 The Minneapolis Star, 1950
Sources 14–15
14 U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1950
15 Find a Grave, memorial 774119, 1919
Source 16
16 Find a Grave, memorial 129309646, 1945
More sources are in the evidence below.
Life in time
with the history around it4 Oct 1919
Birth , Wells, Faribault, Minnesota, United States
How we know
1920
Residence , Wells, Faribault, Minnesota, United States
How we know
9 May 1920
Baptism , Alden, Freeborn, Minnesota, United States
How we know
1930
Residence , Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
How we know
1940
Residence , Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
How we know
Oct 1940
University , Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
How we know
Sep 1945
Residence , Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States
How we know
before Sep 1945
Marriage, with Phyllis Julianna Van Buren
How we know
1948
Residence , Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
How we know
1948
Student , Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
How we know
1950
Residence , Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
How we know
1950
Occupation , Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
How we know
5 Oct 1950
Death , Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States
How we know
9 Oct 1950
Burial , Fort Snelling, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States
How we know
-
1919 Birth
His own draft registration (1940) gives Wells, Minn., 4 Oct 1919; the Minnesota birth index gives 4 Oct 1919 in Faribault County, mother's maiden name Donnell, certificate 1919-08983.
His World War II draft card, which he signed, gives his birth at Wells on 4 Oct 1919; the Minnesota birth index (index of the state birth certificates, read 27 Sep 2026) gives the same date in Faribault County, with his mother's maiden name, Donnell, and the certificate number 1919-08983; the 1920 census lists him as Leonard D., aged 0, at Wells, and the Minnesota death record gives 1919 at Wells with his parents' names. The certificate itself has not been read.
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1920 Residence
Leonard D., son, 0, in the household of his parents Robert L. (a cattle buyer) and Lotta A. Hegnauer, with his brother Robert L., 3; the home was owned, mortgaged.
His parents and brother identify the household (index read; image not read).
Source 3
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1920 Baptism
Presbyterian Church, Alden: "Hegnauer, Leonard D.", son of "Robert L. & Lotta Hegnauer", baptized 5-9-20.
The church's register of baptisms, read on the image, names both his parents. Alden is about fifteen miles from Wells.
Source 4
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1930 Residence
4849 Ewing Avenue South, rented. "Donnell", son, 10, in the household of his parents Robert (a travelling grain and feed salesman) and Lotta, with his brother Robert.
His parents and brother identify the household (index read; image not read).
Source 5
- Second World War, 1939–45
-
1940 Residence
516 University Avenue S.E., rented. "Donnell Hegnauer", 20, in the household of his mother, "Lottie" Hegnauer, divorced, a home economist; in Minneapolis in 1935.
His mother and the address on his draft card identify him (index read).
Source 6
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1940 University
Student, University of Minnesota (his draft registration, 516 University Avenue S.E.).
His draft card gives his employer as "student, Univ. of Minn., Mpls."; image read in the survey of his mother's records.
Source 1
-
1945 Residence
His elder son was born in Otter Tail County (at Fergus Falls, according to Find a Grave) on 28 Sep 1945.
The Minnesota birth index gives the county of his son's birth; where the family lived is not stated.
Source 7
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1945 Marriage, with Phyllis Julianna Van Buren
No marriage record has been found. Their elder son was born on 28 Sep 1945; Leonard died on 5 Oct 1950.
The Minnesota birth index names the parents of Keith Donnell Hegnauer, born 28 Sep 1945, as Leonard Donnell Hegnauer and Phyllis Julianna Van Buren, and the index of their younger son's birth gives Leonard Donnell Hegnauer with his spouse Phyllis Juliana Hegnauer. The 1948 St. Paul directory and the 1950 census list Phyllis as his wife, and his death notice and death record name his wife Phyllis. The date and place of the marriage are not known.
-
1945 Son born: Keith Donnell Hegnauer
-
1948 Residence
2414 Bayless Place; student; wife Phyllis (St. Paul city directory, 1948, indexed as "Hognauer").
The address of his 1950 census household and death notice and his wife Phyllis identify the entry, although the index misreads the surname (AI-extracted index read 27 Sep 2026; image not read).
Source 9
-
1948 Student
Listed as a student in the 1948 St. Paul directory; the school is not named.
The occupation column of his directory entry (index).
Source 9
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1950 Residence
2414 Bayless Place (dwelling 1), the same house a year before. Leonard D., born about 1920 in Minnesota, head, 30, with his wife Phyllis J., 33, their sons Keith D., 4, and a younger son (living), and four roomers, men aged 25 to 30.
FamilySearch's and Ancestry's indexes of the 1950 census at St. Paul (the Ancestry index read 27 Sep 2026, with the address and the roomers), and his death notice, which gives the same address.
-
1950 Occupation
"Social Science Reserch [sic] Asst" at the state university (the University of Minnesota), a government worker.
His line of the 1950 census, as indexed by Ancestry (read 27 Sep 2026; image not read).
Source 10
-
1950 Death
Aged 31, the day after his birthday. His home was 2414 Bayless Place, St. Paul. Minnesota death certificate 1950-MN-027399 (index). The cause is not known.
FamilySearch's index of Minnesota deaths gives Leonard D. Hegnauer, died 5 Oct 1950 at St. Paul, born 1919 at Wells, son of Robert Hegnauer and Lotta Donnell, husband of Phyllis; the state death index (Ramsey County, certificate 027399) and Find a Grave agree; his death notice appeared on 7 Oct 1950. The certificate itself has not been read.
-
1950 Burial
Fort Snelling National Cemetery, after a service at 1:45 p.m. on Monday, 9 Oct, at the Billman chapel, 2518 Central [Avenue, Minneapolis].
His death notice announces the Monday service and interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery; the national-cemetery interment form and the VA gravesite index are cited in the family tree for burial on 9 Oct 1950, and Find a Grave records his grave there.
- proven
- family event
- history around the life
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Places in this life
6 places, in order- 1 Wells, Faribault County Birth 4 Oct 1919 · Residence 1920
- 2 Alden, Freeborn County Baptism 9 May 1920
- 3 Minneapolis, Hennepin County Residence 1930 · Residence 1940 · University Oct 1940
- 4 Otter Tail County, Minnesota Residence Sep 1945
- 5 St. Paul, Ramsey County Residence 1948 · Student 1948 · Residence 1950 · 2 more
- 6 Fort Snelling, Hennepin County Burial 9 Oct 1950
Hollow markers are placed approximately, at the town, county or region.
Family
Records
Search the archive →Births and baptisms
- 4 Oct 1919 probable Birth “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” Wells, Faribault County 2 index entries: Ancestry O00172 · Ancestry O00173
- 24 Aug 1948 confirmed Birth “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer”, father Ramsey, Anoka County FamilySearch · O03373
Deaths and burials
- 5 Oct 1950 probable Death “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” St. Paul, Ramsey County 2 index entries: Ancestry O00179 · Ancestry O00180
- 5 Oct 1950 confirmed Death “Phyliss G Hegnauer”, spouse St. Paul, Ramsey County FamilySearch · O03629
- 5 Oct 1950 probable Burial “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Fort Snelling Find a Grave · O04019
- 7 Oct 1950 confirmed Death notice “Leonard D. Hegnauer” Minneapolis, Hennepin County Newspapers.com · O06276
- 9 Oct 1950 probable Burial “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” Fort Snelling, Hennepin County 3 index entries: Ancestry O00181 · Ancestry O00182 · Ancestry O00183
- date unknown possible Burial “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis FamilySearch · O03335
Census, land and residence
- 1940 probable Residence “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” Minneapolis, Hennepin County 2 index entries: Ancestry O00177 · Ancestry O00178
Military
- date unknown possible Military draft registration “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer” Minneapolis, Hennepin County FamilySearch · O03184
Also cited as evidence: 4 records filed under relatives
- 28 Sep 1945 possible Birth “Keith Donnell Hegnauer”, filed under Keith Donnell Hegnauer FamilySearch
- 28 Sep 1945 confirmed Birth “Leonard Donnell Hegnauer”, filed under Keith Donnell Hegnauer FamilySearch
- 15 Apr 1950 confirmed Census “Keith D Hegnauer”, filed under Keith Donnell Hegnauer FamilySearch
- 15 Apr 1950 confirmed Census “Phyllis J Hegnauer”, filed under Phyllis Julianna Van Buren FamilySearch
In the papers
The newspaper room →In the research files
All the research →The evidence 14 facts with their grades, 17 sources, and the research notes
Facts
| Fact | Date | Place | Grade | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 4 Oct 1919 | Wells, Faribault, Minnesota, United States | proven | 1 , 2 , 3 , 11 |
| Residence | 1920 | Wells, Faribault, Minnesota, United States | proven | 3 |
| Baptism | 9 May 1920 | Alden, Freeborn, Minnesota, United States | proven | 4 |
| Residence | 1930 | Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States | proven | 5 |
| Residence | 1940 | Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States | proven | 6 |
| University | Oct 1940 | Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States | proven | 1 |
| Residence | Sep 1945 | Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States | proven | 7 |
| Marriage with Phyllis Julianna Van Buren | before Sep 1945 | proven | 7 , 8 , 9 , 11 , 13 , 17 | |
| Residence | 1948 | Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States | proven | 9 |
| Student | 1948 | Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States | proven | 9 |
| Residence | 1950 | Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States | proven | 8 , 10 , 13 |
| Occupation | 1950 | Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States | proven | 10 |
| Death | 5 Oct 1950 | Saint Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota, United States | proven | 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 |
| Burial | 9 Oct 1950 | Fort Snelling, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States | proven | 13 , 14 , 15 |
Research notes
- Sources: His draft card, the Alden baptism register and his death notice were read on the images in the surveys of his parents' records. The censuses (1920–1950), the 1948 directory, the birth indexes, the death indexes and the national-cemetery records are Ancestry and FamilySearch index entries, several of them attached in the family tree (the birth index, the 1950 census, the 1948 directory and the Ancestry death index were read on 27 Sep 2026); their images have not been read. Find a Grave was seen as a search listing only. No death certificate has been read.
- Identity: Leonard D., 0, son of Robert L. and Lotta Hegnauer at Wells (1920), is the Leonard D. baptized at Alden (1920); "Donnell", son of Robert and Lotta, in 1930; "Donnell Hegnauer", 20, with his mother Lottie in 1940; Leonard Donnell Hegnauer, born at Wells on 4 Oct 1919, whose draft card names his mother Mrs. Lotta D. Hegnauer; and Leonard D. Hegnauer, born 1919 at Wells, son of Robert Hegnauer and Lotta Donnell, who died at St. Paul in 1950, survived by his wife Phyllis and his mother Mrs. Lotta Hegnauer.3, 4, 5, 6, 1, 11, 13
- Military service (probable): A burial in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, recorded on the national-cemetery interment forms and in the VA's gravesite index, is almost always that of a veteran; he was 21 in 1940 and very probably served in the Second World War.14 The branch and dates have not been read; the interment control form and a VA BIRLS entry should give them. His Find a Grave memorial may carry his headstone inscription.15
- Marriage: Not found. The birth indexes of both sons name Phyllis as his wife (Phyllis Julianna Van Buren; Phyllis Juliana Hegnauer).7, 17 It was before Keith's birth in Sep 1945; Minnesota marriage indexes of about 1942–1945 (Hennepin, Ramsey, Otter Tail counties) and North Dakota (Richland County) should be searched.7
- Occupation after 1940: The 1948 St. Paul directory (AI-extracted index, surname misread "Hognauer") lists him as a student at 2414 Bayless Place, and the 1950 census (Ancestry index) as a social-science research assistant at the state university, the University of Minnesota, with four roomers in the house.9, 10 Where he studied, and in what, is not stated; the university's records and the directory image would say more.
- Death: The cause and circumstances are not known. His Minnesota death certificate, 1950-MN-027399 (Ramsey County), has not been read; its number is known from the state death index.12 His birth certificate is 1919-08983 (Faribault County).2
- Living family: His younger son is living and is not named here.
- This profile is part of the Hegnauer one-name study.
Working notes
- MN death cert 1950-MN-027399; birth cert 1919-08983; 1950 research assistant (social science), state university; 1948 student, 2414 Bayless Pl.
Sources
- 1
"U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947," database with images, Ancestry.com, Leonard Donnell Hegnauer, serial 818, 516 Univ. Ave. S.E., Minneapolis (a later address, 424 University Avenue S.E., written across the top); age 21; born Wells, Minn., 4 October 1919; person who will always know his address "Mrs. Lotta D. Hegnauer, mother, 4208 W. 44th St., Mpls., Henn., Minn."; employer student, Univ. of Minn., Mpls.; signed "Donnell Hegnauer"; image 44018_09_00010-04343 (front read; the back, with the registration date, not read); citing National Archives at St. Louis, Record Group 147, WWII Draft Registration Cards for Minnesota, 10/16/1940–03/31/1947, box 90. Also "Minnesota, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940–1947," FamilySearch. FamilySearch record QLF3-QJWD
- 2
"Web: Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1900–1934," database, Ancestry.com, Leonard Donnell Hegnauer, born 4 October 1919, Faribault County, Minnesota; mother's maiden name Donnell; certificate 1919-08983; source Minnesota Historical Society (record 109008; index read 27 September 2026).
- 3
1920 U.S. Federal Census, Wells, Faribault County, Minnesota, E.D. 89, sheet 18A, Robert L. Hegnauer (head, 32, born Missouri; cattle buyer, own account; home owned, mortgaged), wife Lotta A. (30), sons Robert L. (3) and Leonard D. (0); citing NARA T625, roll 828; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read). Also "United States Census, 1920," FamilySearch. FamilySearch record MWYQ-1BZ
- 4
"U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701–1970," database with images, Ancestry.com, Presbyterian Church, Alden, Minnesota, "Births, Baptisms, Marriages, Deaths, 1891–1923," register of baptisms, pp. 140–141: "Hegnauer, Leonard D.," [son] of "Robert L. & Lotta Hegnauer," baptized "5-9-20" [9 May 1920]; images 43102_3421606200_0109-00375 and -00376.
- 5
1930 U.S. Federal Census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, Ward 13, E.D. 262, sheet 20A, 4849 Ewing Avenue [South], dwelling 319, family 323, Robert Hegnauer (head, 42; travelling salesman, grain and feed; rented, $65), wife Lotta (40), sons Robert (14) and Donnell (10); FHL microfilm 2340835; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).
- 6
1940 U.S. Federal Census, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, E.D. 89-21, sheet 61A, household 111, 516 University Avenue [S.E.], "Lottie" Hegnauer (head, 50, divorced, born Indiana; home economist; rented, $43; in Minneapolis in 1935), with Donnell Hegnauer (20) [her son Leonard Donnell]; citing NARA T627, roll m-t0627-01976; database with images, Ancestry.com (index read).
- 7
"Minnesota, Birth Index, 1935–2002," database, FamilySearch, Keith Donnell Hegnauer, born 28 September 1945, Otter Tail County, Minnesota [indexed "Ottertail, Otter Tail"]; father Leonard Donnell Hegnauer; mother Phyllis Julianna Van Buren. FamilySearch record VC56-7Z5; father FamilySearch record VC56-7ZR
- 8
"United States, Census, 1950," database, FamilySearch, Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, 15 April 1950: Leonard D Hegnauer (born about 1920, Minnesota), with his wife Phyllis J (born about 1917, North Dakota) and their sons Keith D (born about 1946, Minnesota) and a son (living) (index entries; the image has not been viewed). FamilySearch record 6F9Z-Y13V; wife FamilySearch record 6F9Z-Y13J; Keith FamilySearch record 6F9Z-Y132 Also "1950 United States Federal Census," Ancestry.com, St. Paul, E.D. 90-387.
- 9
"U.S., City Directories, 1822–1995," database with images, Ancestry.com, St. Paul, Minnesota, City Directory, 1948: "Leonard D Hognauer" [Hegnauer], male, 2414 Bayless pl, St. Paul, student; spouse Phyllis "Hognauer" (record 754292273; AI-extracted index read 27 September 2026; image not read).
- 10
"1950 United States Federal Census," database with images, Ancestry.com, St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, 2414 Bayless Place [indexed as the apartment number], dwelling 1, same house a year earlier: "Leonard D Hegnaver" [Hegnauer] (head, white, male, married, 30, born about 1920, Minnesota; "Social Science Reserch Asst", State University, government, employed), Phyllis J (wife, 33), Keith D (son, 4), a son (1; living) and four roomers (men aged 25–30) (record 94526212; index read 27 September 2026; image not read).
- 11
"Minnesota, Deaths, 1887–2001," database, FamilySearch, Leonard D Hegnauer, died 5 October 1950, Saint Paul, Ramsey County; born 1919, Wells, Minnesota; parents Robert Hegnauer and Lotta Donnell; spouse Phyliss G [Phyllis] Hegnauer. FamilySearch record HT6H-BL3Z; spouse FamilySearch record HT6H-BL6Z
- 12
"Minnesota, Death Index, 1908–2002," database, FamilySearch, Leonard D. Hegnauer, died 5 October 1950, Ramsey County. FamilySearch record V47D-JM7 Also "Minnesota, U.S., Death Index, 1908–2017," Ancestry.com, Leonard D Hegnauer, died 5 October 1950, Ramsey County; registered 1950; certificate 027399 [1950-MN-027399]; record number 1136278 (record 1027946; index read 27 September 2026).
- 13
[Death notice], The Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis, Minnesota), 7 October 1950, p. 12: "HEGNAUER—Leonard D., 2414 Bayless place, St. Paul", survived by his wife, Phyllis, two sons, his mother, Mrs. Lotta Hegnauer, and a brother [named in error as Richard]; services Monday 1:45 p.m. at the Billman chapel, 2518 Central; interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery; please omit flowers; image, Newspapers.com (newspapers.com/image/187731807). Indexed in "U.S., Newspapers.com Obituary Index," Ancestry.com (the child garbled as "Leonard D. Keon").
- 14
"U.S., National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928–1962," database with images, Ancestry.com, Leonard Donnell Hegnauer (record 1716518), and "U.S. Veterans' Gravesites, ca. 1775–2019," database, Ancestry.com (record 1323786; Fort Snelling National Cemetery), both cited in the Hegnauer/Putt family tree for his death at St. Paul on 5 October 1950 and his burial at Fort Snelling on 9 October 1950 (the records themselves, including his service details, have not been read in this study).
- 15
Find a Grave, memorial 774119, Leonard Donnell Hegnauer (4 Oct 1919 – 5 Oct 1950), Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Fort Snelling, Hennepin County, Minnesota (findagrave.com/memorial/774119); the search listing was read, the memorial page not viewed. Also "Find a Grave Index," FamilySearch FamilySearch record QVV7-7HJB; and "U.S., Find a Grave Index," Ancestry.com.
- 16
Find a Grave, memorial 129309646, Keith Donnell Hegnauer (28 Sep 1945 – 31 Mar 2014), Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Fort Snelling, Hennepin County, Minnesota; father Leonard Donnell Hegnauer; mother Phyllis Julianna Rupp (findagrave.com/memorial/129309646); as indexed in "U.S., Find a Grave Index," Ancestry.com (index read 27 September 2026).
- 17
"Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1935–2000," database, Ancestry.com, the father's line in the birth entry of his younger son (living): Leonard Donnell Hegnauer, male; spouse Phyllis Juliana Hegnauer (record 159175694; index read 27 September 2026).