Cornell High School Alumni
Cornell, Wisconsin (WI)
In Memory of
Ernest “ernie” Gene Hetke
2026-2026
Born Mar 18, 2026, Ernest “ernie” Gene Hetke attended Cornell High School in Cornell, WI.
Class of 1965
Mar 18, 2026 - Mar 18, 2026
Mar 18, 2026 - Mar 18, 2026
Obituary
Ernest “Ernie” Gene Hetke, 80, of Cornell, WI., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday,
January 29th, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Ernie was born on July 18th, 1945 to Eugene
and Caroline (Johnson) Hetke in Portland, OR. He grew up in a few different places
around Wisconsin including Cornell, Colfax, and Racine, but generally considered
Cornell his home because of his love for the Hetke farm, which he ended up purchasing
and living on for nearly 60 years. Following high school, he joined the Army and served
for 3 years. Ernie married Agnes Audorff on December 4th, 1965 in Cadott, WI.
Besides being a full-time farmer, Ernie did many other things to keep himself busy including carpentry, woodworking, sawing lumber, and gunsmithing. He also loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, sporting clays, and making maple syrup. If Ernie hadn’t been a farmer, he probably would have been a cowboy because he loved horses and could spend hours watching cowboy shows and movies. He often made a yearly trip to a cousin’s ranch in Montana.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Agnes; his sons Paul (Janet), Philip (Julie), Peter (Susan), Dale (Loretta); his daughters Regina (Howard) Boppart and Rhonda Mickelson; brother
David (Marlene); sister Dianne; 24 grandkids; and 19 great grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Johannes and Flora Audorf; sister Mary Blazer; and grandchildren George Hetke and Mathias Boppart.
A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00am-11:00am with a celebration of life service at
11:00am on Friday, February 6th, at the Keystone New Life Church in Cornell.
Immediately following, an internment service will take place at the Cleveland Cemetery.
Lunch will be served at the Cleveland Town Hall following the internment.
Express online condolences at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome.com
Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, WI., is assisting the family.
Ernest “Ernie” Gene Hetke, 80, of Cornell, WI., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday,
January 29th, 2026 surrounded by his loving family. Ernie was born on July 18th, 1945 to Eugene
and Caroline (Johnson) Hetke in Portland, OR. He grew up in a few different places
around Wisconsin including Cornell, Colfax, and Racine, but generally considered
Cornell his home because of his love for the Hetke farm, which he ended up purchasing
and living on for nearly 60 years. Following high school, he joined the Army and served
for 3 years. Ernie married Agnes Audorff on December 4th, 1965 in Cadott, WI.
Besides being a full-time farmer, Ernie did many other things to keep himself busy including carpentry, woodworking, sawing lumber, and gunsmithing. He also loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, sporting clays, and making maple syrup. If Ernie hadn’t been a farmer, he probably would have been a cowboy because he loved horses and could spend hours watching cowboy shows and movies. He often made a yearly trip to a cousin’s ranch in Montana.
Ernie is survived by his wife, Agnes; his sons Paul (Janet), Philip (Julie), Peter (Susan), Dale (Loretta); his daughters Regina (Howard) Boppart and Rhonda Mickelson; brother
David (Marlene); sister Dianne; 24 grandkids; and 19 great grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Johannes and Flora Audorf; sister Mary Blazer; and grandchildren George Hetke and Mathias Boppart.
A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00am-11:00am with a celebration of life service at
11:00am on Friday, February 6th, at the Keystone New Life Church in Cornell.
Immediately following, an internment service will take place at the Cleveland Cemetery.
Lunch will be served at the Cleveland Town Hall following the internment.
Express online condolences at www.bortonleiserfuneralhome.com
Borton-Leiser Funeral Home in Cornell, WI., is assisting the family.