Eugene J. Hafner

Eugene John Hafner, 81, of La Crosse passed away peacefully on March 12, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse with his family by his side.Born November 24, 1932, in La Crosse to John Hafner and Anna (Reinart) Hafner, he attended Holy Trinity Grade School, was a 1950 graduate of Aquinas High School and earned an Associates Degree in Drafting from the La Crosse Technical School. On September 15, 1962, Eugene married Barbara JoAnn Smikla.

In 1996, Eugene retired from the state after 30 years of service.Eugene’s Catholic faith was the foundation upon which he built his life. Eugene was also a member of the American Legion Post 52 and a very active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 839, where he served as Financial Secretary for many years, attained the Honor Guard of the Fourth Degree Bishop Schwebach Assembly 1195 and was awarded the title of Knight of the Year in 2006.

Eugene was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who led by example and who had a great sense of humor with many “Eugene-isms” that will never be forgotten. Our many happy family memories include annual summer trips to Door County, outings to Brewers games and Oktoberfest parties.

Eugene’s passions included attending daily mass, reading novels, doing work in his yard, grilling steaks with precision, watching the Green Bay Packers, drives through Riverside Park with his wife, watching the sun rise over the ocean in Florida and watching the sun set over the Minnesota bluffs.

He is further survived by grandchildren, Catherine and John Hafner of Mt. Prospect, IL, Andrew Flottmeyer of Rochester, MN, Anna Flottmeyer of La Crosse and Nicholas, Hailey and Jacob Hafner of Anchorage, AK.A Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Monday, March 17, 2014, in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd, La Crosse, WI, Rev. David Olson will officiate with Rev. Peter Raj, and Msgr. Michael Gorman. Burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery, 519 Losey Blvd., La Crosse, WI. Family and friends may call on Sunday, March 16, 2014, from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes, 1501 West Ave. So., La Crosse, WI. Family and friends may also call from 9:00 AM at Church until the time of Mass on Monday

We would like to thank Mayo Clinic Health System for the excellent care that they provided during our father’s illness.

Memorial donations may be made to the Aquinas High School Foundation.

Say not in grief he is no more – but live in thankfulness that he was