Barbara Hafner

Barbara JoAnn Hafner, 90, of La Crosse passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024, at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse with her daughter and son by her side.

Born August 16, 1934, in La Crosse to John Smikla and Frances (Michalski) Smikla, she attended Holy Cross Grade School and was a 1953 graduate of Aquinas High School. Barb worked in several bookkeeping roles with Autolite and Trane Company before marrying Eugene John Hafner on September 15, 1962.

She, Gene and her family lived in La Crosse, Milwaukee and Madison as they moved for Gene’s career with the State of Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Barb supported her family as the homemaker but also held several roles in sales with Prange’s and Dayton’s department stores before landing her longest tenured position as a bookkeeper with Wells Fargo Bank in La Crosse, where she made many great friends prior to her retirement.

Barb’s Catholic faith was the foundation upon which she built her life. She was a 47-year parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Parish in La Crosse where she served in a variety of volunteer positions and was a member of the Parish Women’s Club. Barb was so proud to be an Aquinas graduate and passionately enjoyed watching any Aquinas sports event. She was also a very active member of Catholic Daughters and served as a volunteer for the Mayo St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary Board. Barb was also active with Gene in the American Legion Post 52 and the Knights of Columbus Council 839.

Barb was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose family meant everything to her. She was a strong supporter of her children and grandchildren in their academic, athletic and professional pursuits, enjoyed Wednesday evening dinners with Gene at Schmidty’s, ice cream cones from Ranison and would never say no to a shopping trip to Valley View Mall. Our many happy family memories include annual summer trips to Door County, outings to Brewers games and Oktoberfest parties (where Barb was never without a drum majorette baton).

Barb’s other passions included attending daily mass, going for coffee with her sisters and friends, gardening, watching the Green Bay Packers, drives through Riverside Park with Gene, watching the sun rise over the ocean in Florida and watching the sun set over the Minnesota bluffs.

Survivors include her son, Michael (Eileen) Hafner of Mt. Prospect, IL and daughter, Annette (Stephen) Flottmeyer of La Crosse. She is further survived by grandchildren, Catherine Hafner and John Hafner of Dallas, TX, Andrew Flottmeyer of Stamford, CT, Anna Flottmeyer of Green Bay and Nicholas (Haylee) Hafner, Hailey Hafner and Jacob Hafner of Boise, ID and great-grandchildren Ophelia, Benjamin and Eloise Hafner of Boise, ID. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene, son, Brian, parents and siblings Margaret, Eleanor, Rose, Mary, Lorraine, John, Dolores, Gertrude and Dorothy.

Barb spent the final nearly 4 years of her life at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse where she received extraordinary care and compassion from so many of their wonderful staff. Although we can’t name everyone who made a difference and touched her life in her final years, we would like to acknowledge and thank Shannon, Jeannette, Nallie, Fifi, Susan, Peggy, Lawrence, Katharine, Suzanne, Dawn, Kathy, Jane, Olivia, Megan, Nancy, Gina, Angie and Paige.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, September 4 in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, La Crosse, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at the Catholic Cemetery. 

Memorial donations may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church or Aquinas Catholic Schools.

Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow. ~ Robert Louis Stevenson