Anita W. Reade

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Nov. 22, 1926 - Aug. 26, 2008

BENKELMAN - Anita W. Reade of Benkelman, Neb., passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008, at the Dundy County Hospital. She was 81.


She was born in Wauneta, Neb., to Frank and Mable (Hartzer) Taylor on Nov. 22, 1926. She was raised on the family farm six miles south of Wauneta. Anita attended grade school in the country school south of Wauneta, graduated high school from Wauneta Public School and then went on to Denver, Colo., to attend business school.

Anita was married to Erwin Hettinger on April 6, 1947. They resided in Wauneta and farmed south of Wauneta. To this marriage four children were born, Gerald, Cheryl, Kathy and Brent.

Anita was a caring, loving wife and mother. She was employed several years at the Wauneta Coop where she served as a bookkeeper. She also worked and managed the ELRA Country Club for many years with her sister, Frona. In 1973, she moved to Benkelman and owned and operated a business with her sister.

Anita was united in marriage to William Reade on Aug. 15, 1975, and lived in Benkelman and Sun City, Ariz., until her death.

Anita was baptized in the Mount Zion Methodist church as a youth and attended the Methodist Church in Wauneta. After moving to Benkelman, she became an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church.

Anita enjoyed crocheting, gardening, cooking, golf, fishing, reading, visiting with friends, and most of all her loving family.

Preceding her in death were parents, Frank and Mable Taylor; sister, Frona Kerchal and husband, Leonard; brother, Darrel "Jim" Taylor; sister-in-law, Evelyn Berry; brother-in-law, Willis Burr; and mother-in-law, Vivian Lanham.

Survivors include her husband, William Reade of Benkelman, children, Cheryl Bryant and husband, Bill of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Kathy Hettinger of McCook, Neb., Brent Hettinger and wife, Anna of Aurora, Colo., Gerald Hettinger and wife, Phyllis of Denver, Colo., Michael Reade of Houston, Texas, Paul Reade of Houston, Texas and Shari Keyser and husband, Joseph of Houston, Texas.

Grandchildren include Chad and Megan Bryant of St. Louis, Mo., Ashleigh and Josh Havekost of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Lindsey Bryant of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and her fiance, Jacob Golter, Courtney and Shane Stanton of Bartley, Neb., Jennifer and Josh Ronspies of Fort Morgan, Colo., Katrina Hettinger of Aurora, Colo., Cara and Todd Billings of Castle Rock, Colo., Ashleigh and Brendon Lankford of Dallas, Texas, Austin, William and Annabelle Reade of Houston, Texas and Vivian Keyser of Houston, Texas.

Great-grandchildren include Madeline Elizabeth and William Paul Bryant, Tye Colter Stanton, Ryan Joshua Havekost, Celeste Marie and Jordan Allan Karczewski, Charlie Ann Ronspies, and Emelie Mae and Carson Leroy Billings; sister-in laws, Delores Taylor, and Bonnie Burr; brothers, Rex Reade and wife, Joan and Radean and wife, Phyllis; and a several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

A service in celebration of Anita's life will be at the Zion Lutheran Church in Benkelman on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. (MDT) with the Rev. George Matthews officiating. Inurnment will follow services at the Riverside Cemetery in Wauneta. Memorials may be given in her name.

There will be no visitation or viewing.

Arrangements are under the direction of Forch Funeral Chapel of Benkelman.