Dee Hettig, 78, of Rochester passed away Jan 6th at Samaritan Bethany.
Dee was born in Kasson, Mn on November 26, 1938 to Ellert and Elvira (Aaby) Wilson. She was raised on a farm near Oslo, MN. Early in life, she suffered a severe dog bite which left her blind in one eye. It was believed she was the first, or one of the first, to try a new medical procedure called plastic surgery. Her love of animals remained her beloved poodle, Kee Kee S.K. Hettig, and later on her labradoodles named Bob (T Dog), Cramer, and Jack Stephans gave her many hours of love and laughter. Dee graduated from Hayfield High School in 1956.
In April of 1963, she married Ralph Hettig of Harmony, MN. To this union, two children were born, Scott Edwin and Kristine Jo. Dee and Ralph were later divorced but remained close to the end. Dee was very involved in her children’s education serving as president of Northrup PTA. Mom helped out with the Cub Scouts and the Brownies and also with the Boy and Girls Scouts. She was one of the early hockey moms where she spent many an early morning driving to and from hockey games and practices as well as for gymnastic meets. Dee loved to watch her children play sports. An extremely loud holler of “rattle that cage” was heard across both Graham and Rec center ice rinks. Every perfect routine or twist or slip off the beam she was there always to console or give a hug and say well done. The same held true for the missed goals or the good checks made. She particularly enjoyed giving a good jab or two at the umpires and refs. Her love of sports continued later in life; she was an avid and accomplished bowler with her name in the Post Bulletin numerous times. Her aim was true as testament of all the trophies she won for muzzle loading shooting contests. Dee enjoyed watching the Twins and especially the Vikings where she did bleed purple; there is even a brick at the Vikings stadium attesting to that. Through some connections, she was able to get two tickets to the very first Twins and Vikings games at the new Metrodome; thanks Mom.
Dee was actively involved in the business and private community of Rochester, having worked for the Star Tribune and Benike Construction early on. Later, she worked at Daytons. She was president of Wild Goose Sports, Inc and worked there with Ralph and Scott until the late 90s. During many of those years, she took tickets for the MWCA and ZVAC gun shows. Dee went to work for the Olmsted County Sheriffs Dept as a transport officer for a number of years. When she retired, Dee continued to assist with fundraising for the Sheriffs’ benefit concerts for many years.
Among her other passions in life, she was involved in the Republican Party where she wore many hats from IR Chairwoman, as a delegate to state conventions and as a central committee Chairwoman. Dee was also appointed to the MN board of aging and reappointed by Governor Arnie Carlson. This work afforded her the honor of meeting President George H.W. and Barbara Bush along with many other politicians including Bob and Elizabeth Dole and Jack Kemp just to name a few who came across Dee’s path. But her favorite of all was the Saturday morning Republican chat groups that took place during breakfast with her friends.
Dee gave her time to many groups and causes over the years. She was a firearms safety instructor for 20 plus years, as well as a member to the Lioness club, and Pheasants forever where she helped with banquet organizing, Turn in Poachers (TIP), sitting on the board of directors, and working the banquets. Over the years, she was a blood donor with a very much needed blood type for which she received an achievement milestone for donating 16 gallons of blood.
Survivors include her son, Scott (fiancé Chris Stephans) of Eyota MN; daughter, Kristine Elliott; granddaughter, “her pride and joy” Taylor Jo Elliott of Phoenix, AZ; brother, Larry (Peggy) Wilson of Hayfield; two sisters, Patricia (Paul) Tieg of Byron, and Judy (Larry) Lengerman of Mantorville; a niece, Brenda; and nephews, Brett, Jason, Jeff and Dane; two aunts, Verna Herrickof Rochester, and Ordella Coley of Hinckley, OH; and her best friend, Darlene (Fred) Schmidt of Rochester. Dee was proceeded in death by her parents, a nephew, numerous aunts and uncles and a friend, Cairey Cramer of Manchester, England, and Kee Kee and Bob.
A visitation will be held from 4:00PM to 7:00PM on Wednesday, January 11 in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home followed by a time of refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to Season’s Hospice or the charity of your choice.
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