Leslie Hedtke's Memorial Service Video

New London-Leslie B. Hedtke, age 94, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2022 in Texas.  Les was born near Ogdensburg, WI on February 14, 1928, to Daniel J. and Edith (Dain) Hedtke. 1 month premature, blue and a hole in his heart. Doctors didn't expect him to make it thru the night.  His dad was killed when he was only 7.  He was baptized and confirmed at Emanuel Lutheran Church in New London.  As a young boy he liked to play ball, ski and ski jumping, riding horses, hunting and fishing.  He graduated from Oak Grove one room school in 1943 and from Washington High School in 1947.  He went west and worked in the wheat fields, shocking and threshing in the summers of 47-49.  He served in the Army from Oct. 1949-July 1952.  Took his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas.  Shipped out of Seattle for Japan on March 13, 1950.  Ran into a typhoon the 3 ^rd day out and for 4 days & 3 nights it was really ruff.  Took 16 days to get to Yokohama, and only 10 days to come back.  He was assigned to GHQ, first 6 weeks spent typing up orders.  He was then hospitalized for 53 days with hepatitis.  The Korean War started while he was hospitalized.  He was then assigned to APO 500 in charge of unit 2.  He played softball with Bean City for years and Ebert's Bar for 13 years after he returned home from the service.  He also played baseball on Sunday afternoons for Readfield from 1943-1949.

He worked construction for 48 years, retiring in 1990.  He was President of the Carpenters Union for 6 years and a member of American Legion -56 years in honor guard.  Has been a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church for 70 years, where he was past president of the school board and a deacon.

He met his wife Mildred (Millie Dorow) at a dance in November of 1952.  They were married on July 17, 1954.  They have been dancing ever since.  They loved to travel, included Europe, Alaska, Hawaii.  They have spent winters near McAllen Texas for the last 20 years.  Through this, they have met a lot of life long friends.  He was real proud of his children and couldn't have enjoyed his senior years like he did without all of their help.  He was honored to serve his country and go on the 37 ^th Old Glory Honor flight with his son-in-law on Sept. 16, 2016.  He enjoyed going out for breakfast for years with his friend/neighbor Vern Sasse.  "Bikes by Les, for Less" was the slogan for the bikes he fixed up and sold as a hobby.

He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Millie.  He had four wonderful children, Lee (Nola) Oregon, Dale (Carol) Wautoma, Terry - Greenville, Sheri (Chuck) Searl - Townsend; grandchildren, Kayla (Matt) Bell, Marcus, Tate (Sara), Lucas, Karissa (Nate) Considine, Cullin, Kacie and Kendra (Simon) Andrews; great-grandchildren Alex, Henry and Margaret Bell, Sophia and Luke Considine.  He is further survived by his 2 brothers Wallace and Gaylord, brother-in-law Marlin, and sisters-in-law Delores, Charlotte and Diane.  He is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and by many special friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Fred Kanaman, in-laws Edgar and Rose Dorow and brothers Arnold, Henry and Daniel, daughter-in-law Inge, brothers-in-law Arlyn, Marvin, Ronnie and Kenneth, sisters-in-law Ellen, Evelyn, Ruby, Dee and Dorothy.

Funeral services will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Hortonville on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tristan Paustian officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. Military Honor's will be held.  A memorial fund is being established for the Old Glory Honor Flight.

He never said "good by", was always "till next time.

We rejoice that he is now with his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, free of the pains & weariness that were such a burden in his last 2 years.