Aetas Margaret Hafner

Aretas Margaret Hafner, 89, of Onalaska, passed away on Monday, December 24th, 2012 at the Onalaska Care Center. She was born on February 17, 1923 to Anton and Agnes (Heintz) Ebert on Summit Ridge near Norwalk, WI. She attended Bohn Grade School and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1940. Aretas worked for many years at Sacred Heart Hospital in Sparta and St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse. On June 16, 1954, Aretas was united in holy matrimony to Peter Francis Hafner at St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. Aretas was a devoted wife and mother. She took great pride in her childrens activities in school; band, sports, 4-H, and scouting. She loved to take pictures and make scrapbooks recalling each childs great moments. In summer she liked to garden, as well as raise tea roses to bring to homebound friends. Crocheting was her favorite winter pastime. Aretas was a faithful member of St. Patricks Church in Onalaska.

Aretas is survived by her husband Peter, five children, David (Cynthia) Hafner of Holmen, Richard Hafner of Onalaska, Ronald (Julie) Hafner of Eden Prairie, MN, Gerard (Mary Beth) Hafner of Lincoln, NE, and Mary (Jon) Syvertson of Richland Center, WI, nine grandchildren, David Hafner Jr., Ryan and Jessica Hafner, Madeline, Bridgette, Thomas, and Patrick Hafner, and Alexandra and Aaron Syvertson. She is also survived by her dear sister Colette (Joseph) Walter, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and finally by her life-long friend, Eva Clay. She was preceded in death by her parents, two stillborn sons, Mark and Paul, a stillborn grandson Joseph, and a brother Leander Ebert.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM at St. Patricks Catholic Church, Onalaska. Msgr. Steven Kachel will officiate. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of Onalaska on Tuesday, January 1thstth from 2:00 4:00 PM and at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 AM until the time of services. Memorials may be given to St. Patricks Catholic Church Right to Life Group.