Obituary for Thomas Arthur Hetland
April 8, 1942 – May 21, 2023
Thomas Arthur Hetland, 81, passed away unexpectedly on May 21 at Froedtert Hospital.
Thomas was born to the late Adolph Gerhardt Hetland and Farrol Sophia Hetland (nee: Smith) on April 8, 1942, in Racine. From 1961 to 1963 he served in the United States Navy. Thomas was united in marriage to Donna Hetland (nee: Murphy) on July 3, 1965.
Thomas worked at InSinkerator for 38 years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and the outdoors. Thomas grew peppers to make his own hot sauce. He also enjoyed woodworking and scratch-offs. He was a Los Angeles Dodgers fan and listened to ‘50s music. Most of all, Thomas loved spending time with his family, especially his children and grandchildren.
Thomas will be deeply missed by his wife, Donna Hetland; children, Tom (Jodi) Hetland, Michele (John) Wojcik and Russ (Rachel) Hetland; grandchildren, Briana Wojcik, Cameron (Carly) Hetland, Mackenzie (Shane Soukup) Wojcik, Rylee Hetland, Kaden Hetland, and Kyra Hetland; siblings, Donald Hetland, Beverly Trobough, Shirley Dedeyne, Lois Gagiliano, James (Sharon) Hetland, Jack (Joan) Hetland, and Bill (Cyndy) Hetland; sister-in-law, Fran Hetland; brother-in-law Ned (Kathy) Murphy; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Thomas is preceded in death by his brothers, Bob Hetland, Vilas (Agnes) Hetland, Dick (Arlene) Hetland, Kenny (Shirley) Hetland; brothers-in-law, Joe Trobough, Dick Dedeyne, Joe Gagiliano; and sister-in-law, Irene Hetland.
Services
A celebration of Thomas Arthur Hetland’s life will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on May 26 at Wilson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. with a service to follow. Full military honors and committal service will be held at 11 a.m. on July 24 at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Disabled American Veterans charity or Tunnels to Towers.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Pierce Ruhland and his staff at Ascension Hospital, Flight for Life, as well as the doctors and staff at Froedtert Hospital.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Thomas Arthur Hetland please visit the Wilson Funeral Home Sympathy Store.
Obituary and photo courtesy of Wilson Funeral Home.
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