Bernard Heet

1926-2020

Posted

Bernard I. Heet, 94, formerly of Taos, died Thursday, July 2, 2020, at Heisinger Bluffs in Jefferson City, surrounded by his family.

He was born April 29, 1926, to Bernard Henry and Elizabeth J. Dirckx Heet in Taos.

He was united in marriage to Laurine Mary Kliethermes, Jan. 28, 1950, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Jefferson City. Together they shared 67 years and are now reunited again.

Bernard was inducted into the U.S. Navy Oct. 24, 1944, and served as a signal man aboard the submarine chaser USS PC-817 in the Pacific Theater during World War Two. He was honored to have visited Washington, D.C. as a member of the Honor Flight program

and to have received the American Legion Quilt of Valor for his years of service to our country. After returning from the war, he went to work for Sexton Ford as their Parts Manager and in December of 1956, went to work for the Missouri State Highway Patrol and retired as Superintendent of Garages March 1, 1994. Bernard was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where he served on the Parish Council and as an usher. He was also a member of St. Francis Xavier Knights of Columbus Council No. 6430.

He was known for his smile and joy for life, never ques- tioning or complaining. His answer to life’s trials was to “say Hail Marys.” He loved his wife, his family, his faith, and the Rosary. He enjoyed sitting on the porch swing listening to his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and watch- ing them on TV. His love for baseball included years of playing and coaching local Taos teams. He loved hunting, fishing, gardening, horseshoes, and pinochle card games -- passions he shared with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by wife, Laurine; infant daughter, Kathy; sisters, Irene Cavendar and husband Roy, Margaret Coffey and husband Victory; brothers, Charlie and wife Alma, Donald and wife Lola, Harold and Rudy Heet; in-laws, Jean Heet, Clifford Kliethermes, Oscar Kliethermes and wife Maggie, Elsie LeCuru and husband Urban, Shirley Prenger, Leslie Jaegers and Walter Thessen.

Bernard is survived by daughters, Dinah Hagner and husband Roger of Jefferson City, Doris Cadd of Liberty, Denise Heet of Columbia; sons, Daryl and wife Mary of Jefferson City; Dan and wife Dawn of Jefferson City, Dave and wife Dana of Linn; grandchildren, Laura Voss and hus- band Bill, Ryan Hagner and wife Jennifer, Joe Heet and wife Katie, Kevin Hagner and wife Tonya, Jeff Heet and wife Cheryl, Tabatha Krieger and husband Justin, Emma Cadd, Lindsey Heet and Sarah Cadd; great-grandchildren, Jacob, Shelby and Drew Voss, Zach, Jake, Avery, Derek, and Jace Hagner, and Everleigh and Ava Krieger; siblings, Frank of Holts Summit and Irene Kliethermes of Loose Creek; in- laws, Lorene Heet, Harry and Bernice Kliethermes, Edgar Kliethermes, Alvina Jaegers, Dorothy Thessen and Vincent Prenger; and many family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, July 7, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos with the Rev. Michael Penn officiating. Interment with military honors was in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in Taos. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City.

Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.