Arthur “Roger” Hett
Arthur Roger “Roger” Hett, age 91, passed peacefully into eternity on Sat., June 5, 2026, at his home in Georgetown, Texas,
Roger was born on March 23, 1935, in Alexander, N.D., the son of Arthur Albert “Art” Hett and Pearle Esther Rogers Hett. Both sets of grandparents were North Dakota homesteaders, among the first to settle in their respective counties in North Dakota.
It was very early in life that Roger learned the value of hard work and caught the “can do” spirit of the hardy North Dakotans. He worked from a young age at his father’s gasoline station and had a paper route. When he was thirteen, he was hired by the Rural Electrification Administration to drive a Jeep for the summer and haul men and equipment to job sites.
Throughout high school, he spent summers working for local farmers Tim Dwyer and Lloyd Powell.
As a high school student, he played Sousaphone in the marching band and ran track, played football, baseball, and basketball. He also participated in oratory contests and was an honor graduate.
Roger attended Concordia College at Moorhead, Minnesota, where he played tuba in the concert band, was president of Lutheran Student Association, and in 1956 was elected Student Body President. During the summers, he worked as a logger in Idaho.
After college graduation in 1957, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and was stationed in Okinawa. During his tour, he served as Chaplains’ Assistant for the five chaplains of Headquarters USARYIS, and he was a volunteer Boy Scout leader. For the last three months he sang baritone in a touring quartet, visiting many of the Pacific countries including Japan.
Upon returning to the U.S., Roger took a position in sales with the Gold Seal Company of Bismarck and worked in Chicago for four years. In 1964, he resigned to move to Texas and start his own business.
On his first trip there to visit his sister Mary, he met his future wife, Karen McCann. They were married Oct. 10, 1964, and settled in the Fort Worth area where Roger and his brother, Jim, built a small national wholesale company, Hett Distributors.
The company was dissolved in 1977, at which time Roger and his family moved to Edna, Texas. Roger and Karen owned and operated two convenience stores in Edna as well as two laundromats and a car wash.
Roger was a member of Edna Lion’s Club and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and served on the Industrial Foundation.
In 2000, Roger and Karen retired to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, where they put down roots and indulged their love of traveling. They enjoyed many trips in their fifth wheel to various parts of the U.S. and Canada, including several trips to McKenzie County to spend time with Roger’s cousins and other relatives. They also traveled extensively to Europe and to Central and South America.
During retirement Roger sang in the Sun City Singers, was active in the Horticulture Club, and spent many happy hours working out in the gym. He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church of Georgetown, where he served on the Church Council and on the Columbarium Committee and sang in the Men’s Chorus. His faith, friendships, and service to others were all important parts of the life he built.
Roger lived a full and meaningful life. He was a hard worker, a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Roger is predeceased by his parents; his sisters, Yvonne Wold and Mary Gisler; and by his brother, James Hett.
He is survived by his wife, Karen; daughter, Mari Ferrell and husband David; sons, Tobin Hett and Christian Hett; and by granddaughters, Lila, Annelise and Jolie Ferrell. He is also survived by six nephews and one niece.
The family will hold a private service to honor Roger’s life. Donations may be made in Roger’s memory to Christ Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 895, Georgetown, Texas, 78627.