Elizabeth J. Hegi

Please join in celebrating the life of Elizabeth Jane (Betty) Hegi, 73, who peacefully passed from this world into God's hands July 13, 2021, surrounded by family.

Elizabeth Jane (Betty) Hegi was born 12/31/1947 to Lonnie and Mary (Shemek) Kuta. Born and raised in Columbus, NE, Betty was blessed to be part of the "Kuta Gang", the 4th of 10 kids in the Lonnie and Mary Kuta family. 671 25th Avenue was never a dull place, where Betty, her siblings, many cousins, and friends enjoyed a classic Midwest childhood and teenage years through the '40's, '50's and '60's.

Graduating from Columbus High in 1966, Betty went on to work at Behlen's Manufacturing. On December 21, 1968, Betty married Don Hegi at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church and spent the next 17 years as a farmer's wife in Duncan, NE, where she made lifelong friends, many of which she spoke with until her last days. After moving to "town" in 1988, Betty worked at Dale Electronics and Lindweld, again using her witty, no-nonsense personality to garner many more friendships and fun. In 1998, her and Don took a leap of faith and moved to Colorado, where they spent the next 22 years of their lives enjoying new friendships and the beauty that surrounds that great state, and maybe a Casino trip or two……………….. In 2020, Betty and Don decided to move to Weatherford, TX to be near their oldest son and his family, enjoying the grandkids and grand dogs.

Betty's pride and joy was her family. She loved watching her grandchildren play sports and continued to be an avid Husker Fan, especially living in Colorado. She enjoyed a good shopping trip, loved her regular visits to the hair salon, word puzzles and the beauty of Colorado, and visiting with her siblings and close friends. She had a contagious laugh and would tell you like it is, but passionately loved her family and friends.

A celebration of life will be held in the Columbus, NE area at a later date.

In lieu of plants and flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for designation to the Kathryn Kuta Sweenie Scholarship Endowment or family's choice % Don Hegi at 417 Escondido Street, Weatherford, Texas 76087

She is survived by:
Husband: Don Hegi of Weatherford, TX
Daughter: Karen (Joe) Strawn, of San Leandro, CA
Son: Eric (Kerry) Hegi of Fort Worth, TX
Son: Nathan of Omaha, NE
Grandchildren: Tyler (Shannon) Strawn, Morgan Strawn, Jason Strawn, Cooper Hegi, Griffin Hegi, Addison Hegi and Emerson Hegi
Great Grandchildren: Xavier Strawn, Kai Strawn, and Brady Strawn
Furr Babies: Hank, Vixen, Izzie and Caesar
Sister: Karen (Peter) Ward, Walnut Creek, CA
Sister: Marilyn Broz of Henderson, NV
Sister: Patrice (Roy) Orr of Eugene, OR
Sister: Mary Ellen Watchorn of Columbus, NE
Sister: Christine Kuta of Columbus, NE
Brother: Tim (Elaine) Kuta of Columbus, NE
Brother: Terry Kuta of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-Law: Dick Hegi, of Duncan, NE
Brother-in-Law: Bob (Linda) Hegi, of Columbus, NE
Brother-in-law Dennis Kruse of Duncan, NE
Sister-in-Law: Nancy (Jim) Hegi-Cuba, of Columbus, NE
Many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by:
Parents: Lonnie and Mary Kuta
In-Laws: Lee and Bernice Hegi
Sister: Kathy Sweenie, Peggy Kruse
Brothers-in-law: Don Sweenie and Keith Watchorn
Sister-in-law: Betty (Dick) Hegi