Judy Louise (Mikesell) Hettenbach, of Abilene, KS, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on March 13, 2024, surrounded by family and close friends. For all 66 years of her life, she was a devoted sister, wife, mother, Nana and friend. Judy was born to Ernest and Margaret Mikesell of Belleville, KS on March 23, 1957. She was the oldest of four. Judy had an early love of reading and that continued throughout her life. Judy loved to play with the barn cats and kittens on the farm. During high school, Judy worked as a candy striper and that sparked her interest in nursing and helping others in that way. After graduating high school, she attended Central Christian for one year and then graduated from Asbury School of Nursing as an RN. She worked at Asbury Hospital as a nurse on the Pediatrics and Med/Surg units. In 1978, Judy met Bruce Hettenbach and they were married on December 1, 1979. They enjoyed 44 wonderful years of marriage together. Judy and Bruce enjoyed ski trips to Colorado, a trip to Niagara Falls with the Halls, and having friends over to play games. Many Saturday nights were spent at Bruce’s parents playing Pitch. In 1985 they moved to Abilene for Bruce’s accounting business and invested deeply into their new community. In 1987 Ellen joined their family, followed by Sarah in 1990. Being a mom was one of Judy’s greatest joys and she was a patient and loving mom. Judy was a good teacher, and she spent many years of her life homeschooling her girls and helping lead Heartland Home Educators. Countless hours were spent taking the girls to various sports practices and meets and cheering them on in their pursuits. Family vacations were a yearly highlight. The girls and their friends remember cooking and baking often with Judy. She loved her 4 grandkids: Nathan, Natalie, Nora and Noah. She would read books and play with them. She enjoyed giving them gifts and sending them mail with fun papers and stickers in it.Judy made many crocheted baby blankets, afghans, and quilts for friends and family. Judy loved to listen to hymns and had many hymns completely memorized. Piano music brought Judy joy and she shared that joy with others by teaching beginning piano lessons. Judy enjoyed capturing everyday life through the camera lens and putting together photo albums. She enjoyed walking with Bruce and admiring the moon and sunsets.Most of all though, Judy loved the Lord. Judy and Bruce were faithful members of Community Bible Church for 36 years. Judy served for over 20 years as the preschool Sunday School teacher and several years helped to organize VBS. She was instrumental in the Ladies Prayer group and impacted many lives through her careful study of the Bible and her prayers. She devoted large amounts of the Word to memory and documented many verses she prayed over her loved ones.
Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest and Margaret, and her brother Fred Mikesell, all of Belleville. She is survived by her husband, Bruce of Abilene; daughters Ellen (Michael) Pope of Wichita, KS and their children, Nathan, Natalie, Nora and Noah; and Sarah Hettenbach of Colorado Springs, CO; brother Dave (Lisa) Mikesell of Republic, KS and sister Nancy (Greg) Gossell of Lee’s Summit, MO, and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Thursday, March 21st from 6-8 p.m. at Community Bible Church. Services will be held March 22nd at 11 a.m. at Community Bible Church. Memorial contributions can be made to Community Bible Church, Kansas Bible Camp, or Village Manor. Memorials can be sent to Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, Kansas 67410.