Mr. Richard E. Hetland, Sr., (formerly of Racine), 79, died at the Clement J. Zablocki V.A. Medical Center in Milwaukee on Thursday, December 4, 2008. He was born in Racine on March 17, 1929 to the late Adolph and Farrel (nee: Smith) Hetland. On May 5, 1951, he married the love of his life, Arlene R. Hoffmann at St. Sebastian Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on September 1, 2006. Mr. Hetland served his nation with the U.S. Air Force. He worked for many years at Badger Tool Works as a tool and die maker before retiring in 1994. Before moving to Warrens, the Hetlands were members of St. Sebastian Catholic Church. Mr. Hetland was an outdoor enthusiast who loved spending his free time hunting, fishing and golfing. He realized his dream of owning his own land in Northern Wisconsin and spent many enjoyable years on that land. Mr. Hetland took great delight in, and was always willing to help his sons and son-in-law with numerous home projects. He was a skilled craftsman and his attention to detail made every project a work of perfection. Mr. Hetland was active in the Racine community while his children were growing up, serving as equipment manager and truck driver for the Ambassa “Dears” Drum and Bugle Corps for many years and as a Cub Scout pack leader and pack master at St. Sebastian School. His survivors include his children, Richard E. (Sara) Hetland, Jr., Kim (Richard) Krummel of Racine and Gary Hetland of Burlington; grandchildren, Tony (Pam) Hetland, Katie (Aaron) Bassindale, Matt Krummel, Alex Krummel, Eric Hetland, Meghan Hetland (Keith), Stephanie (Travis) Larson; great grandchildren, Mitchell, Trenton, Trayton, Chloe, Owen, Landon, Cobin; brothers and sisters, Don (Irene) Hetland, Ken Hetland, Beverly Trobaugh, Shirley (Dick) Dedeyne, Lois Gagliano, Jim (Sharon) Hetland, Jack (Joan) Hetland, Bill (Cyndy) Hetland, Tom (Donna) Hetland; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Fran Hetland, Agnes Hetland, Bonnie Poikonen, Ted Hoffmann, Clem Lutkus and numerous dear nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Mr. Hetland was also preceded in death by his brothers, Bob Hetland, Vilas Hetland and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Joe Gagliano, Shirley Hetland, Sam Poikonen, Diane Fliess, Carol Lutkus, Katherine “Kitty” Bydalek and Tim Hoffmann. Family and friends are invited to meet at the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. for the celebration of Richard’s life with Rev. Jeffrey M. Thielen officiating. There will be a visitation in the funeral home from 4-6 p.m.
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