Roland Edgar Hetfeld, age 95, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital. He was born on June 3, 1922 to the late Carl W. and Alma I. (Fishbeck) Hetfeld in St. Paul, MN. Roland attended school at Goodman and graduated with the class of 1940. After graduation, he moved to Los Angeles and worked at the Lockheed Aircraft Corp. before enlisting in the service. Roland proudly served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard from October 1942 until February 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He was a Radio Man 2nd Class in the Coast Guard and earned the Pacific Theatre metal, the American Theatre metal, the Good Conduct metal and a purple heart from WWII. Roland participated in the invasion of New Guinea and the Philippines. After returning from the military, he met and fell in love with Francis Ulrica Anderson, and the two exchanged wedding vows on March 30, 1946 in Goodman, WI. Sadly, Francis preceded him in death in 2012. Roland attended the Wisconsin State Teachers College in Superior, WI and graduated from there in 1950. He was an elementary principal in Goodman from 1950-1954, and moved to Merrill in 1954. He then earned his bachelor’s degree in science and education in 1960 from UW-Madison. He taught Botany and bacteriology at UW-Marathon/Marshfield. Roland had worked for the Merrill Area Public School System for many years and retired as a science teacher in 1984.
Roland enjoyed being a camp director at the Birch Trail Girl Scout Camp for several years, as well as being a Boy Scout leader in Goodman. He was a hunter’s safety instructor for many years in Merrill. Roland was a member of the Merrill Teacher’s Association and the Christ United Methodist Church in Merrill.
Roland is survived by his sons: Jeffery (Pamela) Hetfeld of Merrill and Carl Hetfeld of Milltown, WI, sister: Sarah Moore of Orlando, FL, grandchildren: Amy (Dan) Riley, Karla (Steve) Wickersham, Josh (Jennifer) Hetfeld, Nick (Christy) Hetfeld, Megan (Adam) Snegosky, Luke (Lydia) Hetfeld, Jasmine Hetfeld and Nayda Hetfeld, step grandchildren: Braden Moening, Brittany Lofgren and McKayla (Kyle) Walker and great grandchildren: Khloe, Andrew, Matthew, Joshua, Brooke, Lauren, Avery, Audrey, Claire, Noelle, Nolan, Parker and Courtney. He is preceded in death by his parents: Carl and Alma Hetfeld, wife: Francis Hetfeld, sons: Oscar, Scott and Ross, brother: Calvin Hetfeld, sister: Charlotte Gremban and sister-in-law: Lois (Warren) Slatter.
A Memorial Service for Roland will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 11am at the Christ United Methodist Church in Merrill. Pastor Ho Lee will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 from 10am until the time of the service, also at the church. Military honors, performed by the V.F.W. Post 1638, will be conducted at the church, immediately following the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Goodman, WI. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.