Carol Haefs

Carol Haefs died peacefully in her home on Friday, May 1 ^st , due to pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by family. Carol Ann (Bonsack) Haefs was born on December 31, 1939 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Addie (Harr) and George Bonsack. She graduated from Central High School in 1957 and married Harley Haefs on June 16, 1958. Carol valued education and graduated from UW-La Crosse with a Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, in 1962. She taught second grade at State Road School from 1962-1964. She stepped away from teaching to raise their three children full-time. She was a devoted and loving mother who never missed a sporting event or concert. Carol was an entrepreneur and opened Plaza Uniforms in 1979. She ran it successfully as a sole proprietor until 2004 when she sold the business. Carol was municipally-minded and was proud to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of La Crosse from 1991-2019.

Carol had a sense of adventure and a love for travel and was able to explore the world with her husband. She instilled her love of travel in many of her children and grandchildren. She also had a passion for style and jewelry and was always sporting the latest fashion. Carol had a wide circle of friends and remained close to lifelong friends until the end. She had a generous and loving spirit and will be missed dearly.

Survivors include her husband, Harley; son, Brian (Julie Gumz) of Onalaska (Alexander and Benjamin Gumz, Nicholas and Ashley Haefs); two daughters, Amy (Gregory) Hoffman of Eagan, MN (Claire and Ava Hoffman); Jolene (Nathan) Lee of Lake Villa, IL (Evan, Andre, Lauren, Lucy, Oliver, and Isaac Lee).

Preceded in death by an infant grandson, John Hoffman, and son-in-law, Nathan Lee.

Due to the pandemic, the family will hold a private service. Donations in lieu of flowers to Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research or First Evangelical Lutheran Church.