Willard Ernest Hatesohl

Willard Hatesohl, 85, Linn, Kansas, died Sunday, September 28, 2008, at Linn. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 4, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf. Pastor Chris LaBoube officiated. Pauline Hatesohl played the organ while the congregation sang "Beautiful Savior", "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "How Great Thou Art". Casket bearers were Kent Hatesohl, Stanley Hatesohl, Steven Hatesohl, Mark Hatesohl, David Hatesohl and Eric Hatesohl. Graveside military honors were by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Burial was in the church cemetery. Willard Ernest Hatesohl was born October 28, 1922, to Ernest and Rosa Dittbrenner Hatesohl of rural Linn. He was baptized November 19, 1922, and was confirmed April 5, 1936, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf, Kansas. Willard graduated from Linn Rural High School in 1940. After high school, Willard worked for the Meierkord Dairy for three years. During these years he enjoyed working with cattle on the show circuit throughout the Midwest. While working at the dairy, Willard assisted with transporting World War II German POWs from Camp Concordia, who were assigned to work at the dairy. In 1944 he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He was training as a medic in Hawaii when World War II ended. He then went to Japan as part of the occupational forces until 1946. After returning home, he began working for the Washington County Creamery in Linn and continued to work there for 26 years. In 1971 he was transferred to the milk plant in Hillsboro. In 1973 he started farming full time and farmed until two months prior to his death. On June 7, 1953, he married Marcene Fajen at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Palmer, Kansas. They were blessed with two children, John and Paulette. Willard was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where he served as an elder, was a member of the church choir and also held offices in Men’s Club. He was also a member and officer of the Wholmoor American Legion Post 237 and the Washington County Farmers Union. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Melvin Hatesohl; and a brother-in-law, John Dranka. Survivors include his wife, Marcene; son, John Hatesohl and wife, Tammy, Linn; daughter, Paulette Hatesohl and husband, Carl Peiffer, Kansas City, Missouri; two grandchildren, Nikki and Eric Hatesohl; two step-grandchildren, Krista and Jason Peiffer; two brothers, Lowell Hatesohl and wife Dorothy and Delmar Hatesohl and wife LaVerna, all of Linn; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Hatesohl, Linn, and Janice Dranka, Vancouver, Washington; and 10 nieces and nephews. A memorial fund has been established. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Willard Ernest Hatesohl, please visit our flower store.