Peter Francis Hafner

Peter Francis Hafner, 91 of Onalaska, passed away at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse on January 6, 2015. He was born on July 20, 1923 in La Crosse, the eighth child of John J. and Elizabeth (Eden) Hafner. He received the sacrament of Baptism on July 23, 1923, becoming a child of God and a member of His Family, in the Catholic Parish of the Crucifixion, La Crescent MN.
Peter attended elementary school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in La Crosse, WI. During these years, he enjoyed serving at Mass, singing in the boys choir and taking violin lessons from Sr. Zitana F.S.P.A. He attended high school and three years of college at St. Mary’s Mission House, Techney, IL, a school of the Missionary Society of the Devine Word. He completed his college at State Teachers College in La Crosse with a B.S. Degree in secondary education. To this he added an M.A. degree in music education at U.W. School of Music in Madison, WI.
On June 16, 1954, he was united in marriage to Aretas Margaret Ebert of Norwalk, WI, at their parish in La Crosse, St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral. That same year, they moved to Reedsburg, WI, where they began their family, and Peter, his teaching career at Webb H.S.
After a series of moves, the family came to Holmen, WI, where Peter founded the Holmen All School Orchestra, serving as string instrument teacher and conductor as well as the middle school band director until his retirement in 1985.
Peter had been an active member of the Knights of Columbus St. Patrick’s Chapter and had received a lifetime achievement award for his work with the Wisconsin Right to Life Association which spanned over 40 years.
Peter is survived by his five children; David (Cyndi) Hafner of Holmen, WI, Richard Hafner of Onalaska, Ronald (Julie) Hafner of Eden Prairie, MN, Gerard (Mary Beth) Hafner of Lincoln, NE, Mary Lou (John Syvertson) of Richland Center, WI, eight grandchildren, Ryan and Jessica Hafner, Madeline, Bridgette, Thomas and Patrick Hafner and Alexandra and Aaron Syvertson. He is further survived by many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Aretas, he was preceded in death by two premature children Mark and Paul, and two grandchildren, Anthony (premature) and David Jr.
His first love was to worship his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was obvious to everyone how much he loved his wife of 58 years. Analogous to his faith, his hobby was gardening, planting a seed, watering the plant and watching it grow into something beautiful.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska. Monsignor Steven Kachel will officiate. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery, La Crosse. Friends may call on the family Monday evening at the church from 4:30pm until 6:30pm where a rosary will recited at 6:30pm. Vistitation will also be held at the church Tuesday morning from 9:30am until the time of Mass. Memorials may be directed to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Right to Life Group.