Willard Nitzsche Obituary

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Willard Nitzsche (Hesston, Kansas), who passed away on September 24, 2018, at the age of 91, leaving to mourn family and friends. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Willard Nitzsche to pay them a last tribute.

Willard 'Bill" Nitzsche, 91, died Monday (Sept. 24, 2018) at Newton Medical Center following a stroke. Willard was born Sept. 10, 1927, in Cuming County, Nebraska, to Albert and Katie Roth Nitzsche. He attended school in Amenia, North Dakota, and Hesston Bible Academy. On June 5, 1949, Willard married Irene Schmidt at Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Goessel. Following their marriage, the Nitzsches farmed in North Dakota until 1955. They left farming to move to Hesston, where Willard worked as a plumber in Newton and Hesston. He finished his career as the operator of the Hesston wastewater treatment plant. Willard retired in 1995. Willard was a life-long gardener, and was frequently found working on puzzles in the library at the Hesston Wellness Center. Willard is survived by his wife, Irene, of Hesston; son, Larry (Julie) of North Mankato, Minnesota; daughters, Bonnie Ruzich (Greg Piron) of Kansas City , Kansas, and Lori Nitzsche (Sam Snyder) of Phoenix; son-in-law, Peter Schaaf of New York; sisters, Opal Ripley of Hesston and Mae Mumaw of Medina, Ohio; six grandchildren; 12 nieces and nephews; and the Keith O'Halloran family of Hesston. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Judith Schaaf; brother, Dale; and sister, Lois Selzer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 20, 2018, at Whitestone Mennonite Church. Private family inurnment will take place at Hesston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Dyck Arboretum of the Plains or the Mennonite Economic Development Association (MEDA).