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Larry Ivan Hetland, 68, of Shelby, also affectionately known as ‘Het,’ passed away Monday, January 27, 2025. He was born May 13, 1956, in Hart, the son of Willard and Norma (Peterson) Hetland.
Larry joined the United States Marine Corps in 1973, and was a proud veteran. Following his military service, he was a skilled crane and heavy equipment operator; having been employed by Great Lakes Dock and Materials, LLC, Dow Chemical, and Brandels. He learned how to operate a crane first at Deerpark, now Michigan’s Adventure, where he dug the first pond in 1984. Larry was also involved in many road construction projects with Stevenson & Wadel. He was also previously a barge worker.
When Larry wasn’t working or helping his community, he could be found enjoying the beach and swimming in Lake Michigan. Furthermore, he enjoyed hunting, watching sunsets, sitting in the woods, mushroom hunting, reading, watching westerns, two-tracking, cruising back roads, listening to music, hanging out with friends and telling stories, and digging ponds. He was also a huge animal lover, especially dogs. Above all, he was a loving family man and he adored being a grandpa; he loved kids and taking them for rides in his semi to the ice cream shop. Larry never met a stranger.
Larry is survived by his children, Jennifer (Trevor) Kallhoff, Stacey (Mike Bozeman) Hetland, and Dustin (Kevin Sears) Hetland; grandchildren, Brandon and Alyssa Kallhoff, and Abby, Hattie, Michael, and Beverly Bozeman; brother, Bruce (Ida) Hetland; and his life partner of nearly 15 years, Barbara Johnson, and her children, Hayley (Walid) Loutfi and Lindsey (Art) Guimond and their children, Phoenix, Elowen, and Winter.
Larry was preceded in death by: his parents, Willard and Norma Hetland; and grandparents, Bertha and Rufus Jacobs and Ada and Elmer Hetland; as well as dear friends, Gary Rider and JR; and his childhood dog, Lucky.
Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Mears United Methodist Church, 1990 North 56th Avenue, Hart, with Pastor Bev Williams officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to family to assist with final expenses. Checks may be made out to his daughter, Stacey Hetland.
Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, King-Hart Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
