Axel W. Hedberg, III

Axel W. Hedberg, III, age 71, of Bucyrus, KS died on Thursday, September 12, 2024 at his home. His memorial service will be held at Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, 66210 on Thursday, September 19th, 2024. There will be a visitation at 1:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM. A reception will be held after the service at Matt and Nikki’s home. All are welcome. Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Luke’s Foundation heart transplant and VAD in honor of Axel.

 Axel was a beloved husband, father, papa, son, brother and uncle. He was a sports enthusiast to say the least! He loved watching K-State, Chiefs, Royals, or really any NFL or college football game with his family and he rarely missed one of his grandchildren’s many sporting events. He loved being together with his family at home, swimming, being silly, and making everyone rootbeer floats. He loved fishing trips to Canada with friends and family. 

 Axel was born on September 23rd, 1952 in Toledo, OH. When Axel was 9 years old the family moved to Modesto, CA where Axel spent his childhood. He played football and basketball at Downey High School and graduated in 1970. He accepted a football scholarship to Kansas State University where he met his future wife, Janet Shorten. They graduated from KSU and married in 1974. They bought a home in Mission, KS and started their family in 1977 when Kristen Lea was born, followed by Matthew David in 1980 and Kathleen Ann in 1982. Then they built their family home in Bucyrus, KS. All three of their children followed in their footsteps by attending and graduating from KSU. 

 He was preceded in death by his parents, Axel W. Hedberg, Jr. and Phylis Gehner Hedberg, brother Thomas Hedberg and brother-in-law Michael Shorten. 

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janet, and their giant yellow lab, Tuttle; daughter Kristen (Steve) Whitley of De Soto, KS, son Matt (Nikki) Hedberg of Spring Hill, KS and daughter Katie (Kevin) York of Denver, CO and their beloved grandchildren, Reese, Paige, Austin, Brynn and Alyssa. He is also survived by his sisters Linda (Jack) Rissetto of Modesto, CA; Janice (Darrell) Garcia of Modesto, CA; Laurie (Tom) Bernhard of Carmichael, CA. Axel will also be dearly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, great nieces, great nephews and friends. 

 Axel leaves behind a strong legacy of love, loyalty, hard work, self-lessness. He will live on in the hearts of all of us that have had the privilege of knowing him. 

If you would like to give a memorial donation in memory of Axel, the family has suggested to:  Honor Those Who Set the Foundation  Saintlukeskc.org.