John Hesse

MIDDLETON, Wis. — John E. Hesse, 73, formerly of Fordyce, died at his daughter’s home in Middleton, Wis., Aug. 6, 2020.

Visitation will be Wednesday, at church, from 6-8 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Thursday one hour prior to services.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Aug. 13, at 10 a.m., at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, with the Rev. Andy Phan officiating.

Facemasks and social distancing will be required for the visitation and funeral. You may also watch a livestream of the funeral at www.facebook.com/ WintzRay/live/.

Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Fordyce.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Ryan Higginbotham, Samuel Higginbotham, Jonathan Corey, Jackson Steffen and Joseph Steffen.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington.

John was born July 14, 1947, in Crofton, to Alfred and Ethel Hesse. He grew up in Crofton and graduated from Crofton High School in 1965. He married Susan Kuehn June 7, 1969, in Fordyce. They lived in Norfolk, until moving to Fordyce in 1979. John owned and operated Truckers Bookkeeping Service, Yankton, S.D., until retirement in 2012. John moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 2013 in order to be closer to his children and grandchildren. He lived at Risen Son Christian Village where he loved to play cards and visit with residents and guests.

John was an avid fisherman and treasured memories of 17 fishing trips to Canada with family and friends.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce, and most recently St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was a faith-filled man who found great joy in the simple treasures of life.

John is survived by his four daughters and their husbands and children, Amy (Chris) Higginbotham and their children, Ryan, Samuel and Jordan, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Molly (Shane) Corey and their children, Jonathan and Megan, Elkhorn; Stacy (Philip) Steffen and their children, Jackson, Joseph, Ella, Millie, Andrew and James, Lincoln; and Emily (Rick) Denney and their children, Finn and Kate, Middleton, Wis.; two brothers, Bill (Jan) Hesse, Yankton, SD, Tim (Esther) Hesse of Lodi WI; 2 sisters Jane Hesse, Gilbert, Ariz., and Donna (Jack) Hellwege, St. Louis, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Susan, and parents, Alfred and Ethel.