Harry Thomas Hutchens

Beaver City, Nebraska Harry Thomas Hutchens, age 83, of Hendley, Nebraska passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2013, at his home. He was born on July 16, 1929, the 3rd child of 5 to Thomas S. & Dott Marie (Stucker) Hutchens. He attended school at Middle Rockton Country School through the 8th grade. He helped his father on the farm and worked for many other farmers around the area helping with their crops. He joined Spring Green Church at an early age. When it closed in 1952 his membership was transferred to the Hendley Methodist Church on April 13, 1952. It later became the Hendley United Methodist Church. He was a member for 57 years until it closed on June 9, 2009. He was an active member and helped with many projects for the church including help shingle the south slope of the roof and fixing the bell tower, and assisting the auctioneer at the Lord's Acre Sales. On September 1, 1951 he was united in marriage to Viva B. Ankenman at Boise, Idaho. On October 15, 1951 he was drafted in the U.S. Marine Corp. and served 2 years active duty, one of whick was in Korea. When he returned from Korea they moved to Oceanside, California for 2 1/2 months until he was released from active duty on October 15, 1953. They then toured the west coast from San Diego in Canada visiting relatives along the way and sightseeing. They went to Boise and picked up Viva's things and on to Colorado where they had to spend a week with relatives because of a snow storm had closed the road over Monarch Pass. Upon their return to Nebraska, he took up farming again and continued to farm which he loved. They were parents of 2 sons, Patrick Dean and Neil Thomas. He loved hunting, fishing, bowling, and roller skating. He made many acquaintances and guided many hunters. Some parked their campers in our yard. He was always friendly and would talk to anyone. Wilva (his step-mother) once said "If Harry doesn't know people when he goes in a place, he does when he goes out." On March 16, 1995 he suffered an aneurysm which created a blood clot on his brain that left him paralyzed on this right side. It was surgically removed and he spent 15 weeks in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. After the release from the hospital he loved to go for rides around the country and see the wild life. They made several trips to Idaho by plane and 2 by car and were accompanies and assisted by Uncle and Aunt Charlie and Dorothy Ankenman. With therapy he learned to walk with assistance but over the years he fell twice and broke his right hip each time and was subsequently confined to a life chair and wheel chair to help get around. Eventually he was confined to a hospital bed. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert, sister Grace, mother & father-in-law Neil and Thelma Ankenman, brothers-in-law Richard Kasson, Bill Henry, Dewey Alexander, Leslie Ankenman, Richard Ankenman, & Ralph Ankenman, Sister-In-Law Geraldine Hutchens and step-mother Wilva Hutchens. He is survived by his wife Viva Hutchens of Hendley, Nebraska Sons: Patrick & wife Lana Hutchens of Eudora, Kansas Neil Hutchens of Wilsonville, Nebraska Brothers: Lyle Hutchens of Hendley, Nebraska Jim Hutchens of Norton, Kansas Grandson: Johnathon & wife Jennifer Hutchens Granddaughter: Jacquelyn Hutchens Condolences or personal reflections can be left at wenburgfuneralhome.com No viewing or visitation as cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 2 PM at the Baptist Christian Church in Wilsonville, Nebraska with Pastor Keith Theobald, officiating. Private family inurnment will be at the Hendley Cemetery, Hendley, Nebraska. American Legion Post from Beaver City, Nebraska will present military rites at the church. Wenburg Funeral Home, of Beaver City, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.