Dennis A. Hettich, age 78, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, passed away on March 5, 2026, at Avantara in Redfield, SD.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Roscoe, SD, with Rev. Tony Hansen officiating.

A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow the service.

Visitation will be one hour before the service.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Dennis Allan Hettich was born on October 3, 1947, in Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota. He was the son of Jacob Fred and Velma Leona (Korb) Hettich.

Dennis grew up in the Tolstoy area of Potter County, South Dakota. Known as a true jack of all trades, Dennis was a trained carpenter who could build or repair nearly anything. Throughout his life, he used his skills to help family, friends, and neighbors whenever they needed it. Dennis also spent many years working at ADEE Honey Farm, where he was known for his dedication and strong work ethic. In his off time, you would find him fishing the Missouri River.

In 1967, Dennis enlisted in the US Navy. He was in a special branch called the Seabees. He served two tours in Vietnam and was honorably discharged in 1969. On October 24, 1970, Dennis married Carol Marilyn (Vilhauer) Hettich. Together they built a life centered around family, hard work, and were blessed with two sons.

Dennis spent much of his life in the Roscoe, South Dakota area before moving to Aberdeen in October of 2025.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Carol Hettich of Aberdeen, and his two sons, Neil (Ellie) Hettich of Watertown, SD, and Kirk (Jody) Hettich of Sioux Falls, SD.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kaya (Wyatt Dailey) Hettich, Kara Hettich, David (Sabrina) Silveria, Noel (Austin) Hanson, and Nathaniel Hettich; great-grandchildren, Holden Kasdorf, Buck Dailey, Amelia Silveria, and Derek Silveria; and siblings Patty Okroi of Aberdeen, South Dakota; Roger (Tina) Hettich of Tennessee; Julie Boschee of Aberdeen; Rhonda Clark of Aberdeen; and Lori (Miles) Eisenbeisz of Aberdeen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Hettich and Velma Hettich, his sister, Candice Hillard; three brothers-in-law, Julian Okroi, Scott Clark, and Bob Hillard; and one niece, Bobi Okroi Stubblefield.

Dennis will be remembered for his hardworking nature, the skills he shared with others, and the deep love he had for his family and fishing. He touched the lives of many and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.