Judith Ann Hettenbach was born on November 21, 1941, in Shady Bend in Lincoln County, Kansas at her grandparents' home. She died on August 7, 2024 at Village Manor Nursing Home in Abilene, Kansas. She was the middle child of Vera (Briscoe) and Richard Reitz, Sr. Judy attended Abilene Public Schools and graduated in 1959 from Abilene High School. During that time, she was a drum majorette her junior and senior year and played the piano and marimba; and was a member of Y-Teens and Pep Club.
She met the love of her life and married Verle L. Hettenbach on March 13, 1960, at the Abilene First United Methodist Church. To this union, three children were born. She was a member of the Dickinson County Rural Life and Woodbine United Methodist Church which she was financial secretary for many years. Judy's main interest was sewing which was a life-long pursuit including making outfits for Miss Rodeo Kansas, duplicating Eisenhower's WWII jacket for the bronze statue casting, and teaching machine embroidery classes. While growing up, she was a member of the Abilene Aggies 4-H Club and continued her involvement in 4-H by supporting her children's and grandchildren's projects. She was a supportive farm wife and was Farm Bureau Membership District Woman of the Year. Judy and Verle received Farm Family of the Year and Century Farm Awards from the Farm Bureau.
Her biggest pride and joy was her family. She is survived by her son Tod (Leesa) of Chapman, her son-in-law Scott Flippo of Abilene, and her 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 and fiancé Samuel Phelps of Harrison, Ohio. Sibling Dale (Dorinda) Reitz of Alva, Florida and sister-in-law Barbara Reitz of Abilene plus many nieces and nephews. Judy was preceded in death by her husband Verle, her parents, her loving daughter Lorie Ann Flippo, and brother Richard (Larry) Reitz, Jr.
The family will receive friends on Friday, August 16th from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the Danner Funeral Home, Abilene, Kansas. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am Saturday, August 17th at the Abilene City Cemetery. At 1:30 pm, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Woodbine United Methodist Church in Woodbine, both with Pastor Cathy Fitzgerald officiating. In lieu of flowers or plants, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Woodbine United Methodist Church, Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County, or the Dickinson County 4-H Foundation, and may be dropped off or sent in care of the Danner Funeral Home, 501 N. Buckeye, Abilene, Kansas 67410. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.dannerfuneralhome.net.