Harold Kenneth Hettinger

Harold K. "Bud" Hettinger was born on February 18, 1925 in Blairstown, Iowa to parents Roscoe and Elsie Hettinger. Bud went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 7, 2011 in Omaha, Nebraska. Preceded in death by parents, brothers Al, Jack, Carl, and Arthur, and dear twin sister, Harriet. Bud is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Dorothy Elenor (Tesar) Hettinger, and sons and spouses Paul and Barb, Roch and Brenda, Doug and Stacy, and Joe and Anne Marie. Bud is also survived by his pride and joy grandchildren Nicole and spouse, Shawn Evans, Ryan, Jeff, Kristen, Jill, Julie, Jake, Kara, and Erin, and three great-grandchildren Tyler "TJ" Evans, Bryce Evans, and Jaiden Hettinger. Bud graduated from El Dorado Springs High School in Missouri in the Class of '42. Shortly thereafter, at the age of 17, Bud enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country in WWII aboard the great battleship, USS Iowa. Honorably discharged in 1946 and recognizing early in his life the many benefits of an education, Bud enrolled in college at the University of New Mexico. Unfortunately, with no money to continue his pursuit of higher education, Bud left New Mexico after one year to work as a union ironworker in Nebraska. After a brief stint as an ironworker including surviving a bridge collapse, Bud began his long career as a field technician for Northwestern Bell Telephone and later AT&T and Qwest. Bud and Dorothy were married in style on February 16, 1952 at St. John's Cathedral on the campus of Creighton University. A family of boys (and all that comes with it) followed with first son, Paul in 1953, Roch in 1958, Doug in 1962, and Joe in 1965. Bud and Dorothy bought their first house in 1957 for $11,000 in North Omaha and in 1972 moved the family west to Elkhorn (the first drive west to Elkhorn had the kids thinking they had moved to Colorado!) Bud was born into a Lutheran family and converted to Catholicism shortly before his marriage to Dorothy. An unlikely friendship with Fr. Roch Hettinger and his love for Dorothy's enthusiastic faith led Bud to his conversion. For the rest of his years, Bud was a passionate supporter of his parish churches and Catholic institutions including Blessed Sacrament (North Omaha), St. Patrick's (Elkhorn), Rummel (Roncalli) High School, Mount Michael Benedictine High School, and St. Mary's College (MN). Bud enjoyed walking, a cold beer and a shot, ballroom dancing, a good nap, trivia, several good TV sit-coms (MASH, Everyone Loves Raymond, Taxi, and America's Funniest Home Videos), a sharp-looking suit, reading, and geography. Never a world traveler, but Bud could recall every city, country, culture, river, mountain range, and ocean ever in National Geographic magazine. Bud was also known for years to prepare for a good night's rest by reading Encyclopedia Britannica! In recent years (after the kids "flew the nest"), Bud found an additional and dear family in the Knights of Columbus at St. Patrick's parish. Many special memories were made with his many K of C friends. Bud will be forever remembered for his unwavering faith, keen sense of humor, friendliness (he never met a stranger), gift of gab, but mostly for his love and dedication to his family. Though Bud worked two or more jobs for many years for the care of his family, Bud would always find a way to make it to every baseball, football, and basketball game, every soccer game, track meet, wedding, funeral and sacrament. Bud has given all of us a wonderful and valuable example of unselfishness, love, hard-work, dedication, humanity, and faith. Rest in Peace, our dear husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, neighbor, and friend. You have earned your eternal reward and shown us the way. We know that the saints and many friends are there to greet you, with Jesus in front with arms wide open saying, "A job well done, Bud. Welcome!". Goodbye, Bud. We miss you, love you, and will never forget you!

Harold Kenneth Hettinger

February 18, 1925 - April 7, 2011