Merlin Hietpas

Merlin S. Hietpas took his place in the tenor sec­tion of the Angel Choir early in the morning of April 11th. Our Dad was a man of deep faith. He always said, “I sing for the Lord.” Cantering, The Fox Valleyaires Barbershoppers, and The Good News Choir are all examples of this. Our Dad was always a bit of a Ham. He brought his antics to the stage by acting in Papermaker Players productions. If we were to describe our dad in one word, it would be “dedication.” From his Mother, to His Brothers and Sisters, to his wife, children and grandchildren, to his friends, he was always there in their time of need. Throughout his battle with dementia, he never lost that dedication to Jesus or to our mom.

Merlin is survived by his wife, Rose; his children: Douglas (Carrie) Hietpas, Wayne (Jeanne) Hietpas, Matthew (Amy) Hietpas, Jeffrey (Crystal) Hietpas, Jennifer (Chris) Brooks and Rebecca (James) Hendricks; grandchildren: Garret, Trevor (Liz), Caleb (Haley), Rachel, Jack, Anna, Charlie, Ava, Hope, Angie, Savannah and Aubri; sister; Sr. Germaine Conrad Hietpas O.P.; brothers and sisters-in-law: Leo Nackers, Irene Hietpas, Mary Weyenberg, Linda Weyenberg, Jane Menting, Betty Mischler, Julie Verstegen, Kathy (Dick) Peterson; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius and Anna Hietpas; siblings: Elaine (Pete) Van Dera, Paul (Margaret) Hietpas, Roger (Pat) Hietpas, Omar (Shirley) Hietpas, Lois (Clayton) Liebergan, Alice Nackers, Eugene (Sue) Hietpas, Ken Hietpas and Vernon Hietpas; brothers and sisters-in-law: Mona (Ralph) Stark, Bob Weyenberg, Lee Weyenberg, Alice (Marvin) Coenen, Dick Menting, Ben Mischler, Dennis Verstegen and Diane Rohan.

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2023, at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church, 411 Vandenbroek Street, Little Chute, with Fr. Ron Belitz officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 3:00 p.m. until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in St. John Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org) For online condolences, please visit www.verkuilenfh.com.

The family wishes to extend our sincerest thank you to the care providers at Care Partners and Country Villa. Special thanks to Rhonda Pingel for her dedication to help both Dad and Mom through this journey. We would also like to express our thanks to Moments Hospice for their compassionate care of our entire family.

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