Kenneth Hettinger, 62, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

.Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Reverend Jan Christensen and Reverend Dr. Jean Ziettlow will officiate. Visitation with the family present will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time and following the funeral service during a time of lunch and fellowship at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery in Holstein, Iowa following lunch. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Kenneth Edward Hettinger, the son of Wayne and Carol (Flynn) Hettinger, was born on January 16, 1962, in Sioux City, Iowa. Early on, he lived in Sioux City, Iowa, and later in Atlantic, Iowa. As a freshman in high school, he moved with his family to Holstein, Iowa. He graduated from Holstein High School in 1980. While in high school, he began working for Royal Scot Sales.

He was united in marriage to Nancy Kistenmacher on March 27, 1982, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Holstein. They made their home in Cherokee, Iowa. Ken continued to work for Royal Scot. In 1986, they moved to Le Mars, Iowa. Ken went to work as a sales representative for Harker's Distribution. Later, he worked as a sales representative for Braunger Foods and then for US Foods. Most recently, he was a sales representative for Northern Lights Distributing.

Ken enjoyed playing cards, especially poker. He also enjoyed playing pool and occasionally bartending. He was a collector of many things and was always searching for his next treasure. Many Saturdays in the summer were spent on the driveway around the firepit; he enjoyed smoking meats and grilling. His greatest joy was his family, especially his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching them participate in all of their activities. His grandchildren lovingly referred to him as Fred.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Hettinger of Le Mars; a daughter: Ashley (Brent) Den Ouden of Maurice, IA, and their children: Addison, Braelynn, Kylee, and Brynlee; a daughter: Shannon (Seth) Jensen of Le Mars, IA, and their daughter, Sydney; a son: Nate (Olivia) Hettinger of Lakeland, FL; his siblings: John (Stephanie) Hettinger of Alexander, AR; Bill Hettinger of Broomfield, CO; Ruth (Jon) Jeambey of Naperville, IL; Steve Hettinger (Ryan) of Bolingbrook, IL; and Joe (Shannon) Hettinger of Downers Grove, IL; his mother-in-law, Darlene Kistenmacher of Holstein, IA; his in-laws: Karen (Doug) Wessling of Holstein, IA; and Jim (Kris) Kistenmacher of Holstein, IA; numerous nieces and nephews; and his dog, Piper.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Carol Hettinger; and his father-in-law, Curtis Kistenmacher.