Birthday celebration honors Gerri Hett
The children of Geraldine Hett Williams hosted an 80th birthday come-and-go celebration June 13 in her honor at Marion Senior Center.
Her children are Jack and Donna Hett and Rocky and Shirley Jo Hett of Marion, Bill and Teresa Higgins of Burlington, N.C., Tom and Shelley Stafford of Hays, Bruce and Sandra Hett of McPherson, and LaVonda Rothman of Morristown, N.J.
They decorated the senior center with quilts, wall hangings, tea towels and other needlework Gerri had made for them over the years. Donna Hett, daughter-in-law, made a special memory quilt gift the children presented to their mother. The quilt was a picture collage of each child and their families through the years and embroidered squares with some of Gerri's favorite things.
Following the open house, the family hosted a dinner attended by some family members. The program included a fashion show narrated by LaVonda Rothman showcasing clothing Gerri made for her children over the years.
Family models included Lindsey and Riley Hett, Gracie and Wendy Hett, Amanda Tippy and Samantha Rothman, Emma Hett, and Carolina Cala-Hett. Amanda Tippy, Samantha Rothman, and Jesse Hett spoke special words of tribute to their grandmother.
Thomas Hett also was honored during the evening. He graduated from Washburn Rural High School and currently is attending Fort Hays State University.
Out-of-state guests were Clint and Donna Hobrecht of Seattle, Wash., Amanda Tippy of Portland, Ore., Mike and Kim Metcalf, July and Austin of Roseberg, Ore.
Jesse and Carolina Hett of Santa Rosa, Calif., Shane Rothman of Crested Butte, Colo., Samantha Rothman of New Haven, Conn., and Fuller and Sally Holt of Huntsville, Ark.
Guests from Kansas were Larry and Melanie Ensey of Valley Center, Kendall and Melinda Helmer, Chris Hett, Gehrig and Gracie, all of Andover.
Bruce and Sandra Hett, Andy and Kristi Hett, Trey and Riley, Amy and Courtney Pavlik, and Carver Swindoll, all of McPherson.
Gene and Melinda Alexander of Belle Plaine, Larry and Carla Steckline of Garden Plain, Gerry and Luella Harp of Newton.
Calvin and Esta Hall of Burns, Martin and Alice Nellans, Irvin and Pauline McPheeters, Bill and Vada Ann McPheeters, and Jesse and Lila Richter, all of Peabody.
Other activities during the preceding week included a visit from granddaughter, Marni Rothman of East Hanover, N.J., fishing, boating, and water sports, several picnics, shopping, dinner at Bruce and Sandra Hett's in McPherson, and visiting with family and friends.
