Verle L. Hettenbach was born on July 27, 1938, on the homestead built by his parents in Liberty Township, Dickinson County, Kansas. He died on May 24, 2024 at Chapman Valley Manor after enduring an eight-month health battle after an accident.
He was the third child of Elda (Rohloff) and Elmer Hettenbach. Verle attended Liberty Center and Pearl Elementary Schools and graduated with the DCCHS class of 1956 in Chapman. During that time, he participated in various sports and club activities including FFA and Hi-Y.He met the love of his life and married Judith Ann Reitz on March 13, 1960, at the Abilene First United Methodist Church. To this union, three children were born.
Verle farmed and ranched all his life on the family farm near Woodbine. In the beginning years, he worked for the Soil Conservation Service and Chapman High School as a bus driver and custodian. Hobbies included supporting FFA and 4-H and attending high school sports. He was a member of the Dickinson County Rural Life, Agri-Trails Co-op, and DK Co. Kansas Livestock Association; and had been on the board of Pearl Co-op and DK Co. KLA. Verle was featured in multiple publications for his cattle ranching practices including an article on his “Youngest Herd on Earth”. Verle and Judy received Farm Family of the Year and Century Farm Awards from the Farm Bureau Association. His biggest pride and joy was his family.
He is survived by his wife Judy, his son Tod (Leesa) of Chapman, his son-in-law Scott Flippo of Abilene, and his son Bart (Susan) of Hope. Grandchildren and great grandchildren include Tessa (Brad) Matacale, Grace, Emmett, and Eleanor of Wichita; Tanner Hettenbach and Parker of Woodbine; Byron Flippo and fiancé Tara Dethlefs of Abilene; Shelby (Devin) Neal and Trenton of Enterprise; and Della Hettenbach of Harrison, Ohio. Siblings are Shirley Dreiling, Lynette (Tom) Lucas, and sister-in-law Kathy Hettenbach plus many nieces and nephews. Verle was proceeded in death by his parents, his loving daughter Lorie Ann Flippo, brother NeVoy, and brother-in-law Marvin Dreiling.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30th at Londeen-Overlease Funeral Chapel in Chapman. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 31st at the Abilene Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request that donations be made to Chapman FFA Alumni or Dickinson County 4-H Foundation. Memorials may be dropped off at the funeral home or mailed to Londeen-Overlease Funeral Chapel, PO Box 411, Chapman, Kansas 67431.