Wayne Ross Hetrick

Wayne Ross Hetrick was born September 23, 1921 to Carl and Georgia Hetrick in Stonington, CO. He went to his heavenly home on July 2, 2020 at his home in Garden City, KS, surrounded by family.
He is survived by three daughters, Joetta Sells (Greg), Gail Anderson (Bill), and Dona Nolan (Rod). Grandchildren Leah Morel (Andrew), Shanda Smith (Skeeter), and Stefanie Collins (Mark). Great grandchildren, Dylan and Shayla Hair, Dacia and Deidre Proehl, Jayden Wright, Logan Smith, Aidan Delacruz, Preston Breeding and Grayson Proehl. One brother, Kent Hetrick (Marilyn) and two sisters-in-law, Linda Hetrick and Linda Gibson.
He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, his parents and step-mother Anna. Brothers and sisters; Lois Martin, Lila Clapp, Elva Burhenn, Darrell Hetrick, Imogene Bryan, Evelyn Bitner, Keith Hetrick, Loretta Froman, Joan Bishop, Leroy Hetrick and Leon Hetrick. Also two grandsons preceded him in death, Jason Anderson and Larrod Proehl.
Wayne was raised on a farm and started driving tractor at age 11. His first job driving a tractor was at age 14. He attended school in Stonington by walking or riding a horse. When he was a sophomore in high school, he stayed with a family to be closer to Stonington High School and did chores to pay for his room and board. He drove his Model A to school his senior year.
In 1935 he and his 3 older sisters witnessed the first rolling dust storm from the shelter of their cellar. Thus the beginning of the "Dirty 30's" that lasted until 1940. No crops were raised at this time and the family cows were sold to the government for $12/head and were shot since there was no feed for them. They sold cream to the grocery store to buy food.
He served in the US Army for "3 years, 3 months and 3 days". He was a mechanic and ignition specialist in the 5 Army, 405 Engineers and later the 3203 Engineers. He received an Honorable Discharge in December 1945 earning a Good Conduct Medal before returning to Baca County.
Sixteen days after returning home he married the love of his life, Jean Gibson and they began their life together on the farm. Through the years they raised wheat, milo and broomcorn, chickens, hogs and some pretty good looking cattle. In 1957 they purchased the family farm 8 miles east of Stonington on the Kansas/Colorado state line. They were active in their community and Wayne served on the Pleasant Plains School Board.
He loved his farming but was always ready for an evening of square dancing or bowling. These events often took them on long road trips and even a cruise. They enjoyed time with their friends and made many new friends along the way. Wayne enjoyed his bowling well into his mid 90's. In fact, he qualified and competed in the National USBC Seniors Tournament in Reno, Nevada and was featured in their newsletter as being the oldest to compete. He still enjoyed cheering on 'Wayne's Team' in Garden City every Friday night until just a few weeks prior to his passing.
He and Jean retired in 1998 and moved to Springfield. He moved to Garden City in 2016 to be close to his daughter, Dona and Rod, and loved spending time with the grandkids. He always missed Baca County and his many friends. Now he is in his heavenly home.
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