Joseph Hafner

Joseph Hafner, 91, a former resident of Pickerel Lake, died Friday afternoon, October 12, 2007, holding his wife's hand and surrounded by the love of his family at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls. Joe was born on March 5th 1916 in Kent, Minnesota to Chris and Agnes (Graves) Hafner. He spent his youth in Breckenridge, MN and married the love of his life, Jean Ann Handlon, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Breckenridge on September 1st, 1949. Joe loved to work with his hands; he pursued a career in farming (with his two brothers), owned a trucking firm with Joe Hanson, and in 1960 he began a poultry business (Hafner Cage Eggs) which delivered to businesses throughout Breckenridge, Wahpeton and Fergus Falls. In 1974 Joe began working at Red River Implement. His fellow workers said he could tighten a hex nut with his hands and, try as they might, they could not get it loose without a wrench. The strength of Joe's hands, for those who knew him best, resided in the way he loved God and his family. In 1985 Joe and Jean retired to their home on Pickerel Lake. In his retirement Joe pursued his love of fishing, gardening, bird watching and playing with his grandchildren. Joe reveled in teaching his grandchildren how to fish and always laughed quietly when the little ones threw his fish back into the water. Barbequing was another one of Joe's pastimes along with cooking liver when Jean went out of town. Joe was active in the Foresters for over 60 years. Also, since the 1950's Joe was a part of the Knights of Columbus. He was Grand Knight for several years and became a 4th Degree Knight on April 17th, 1999. Joe was involved with his church choir, men's club, and ushering while living in Breckenridge. In his retirement he continued his service to the church and was sacristan for St. James Catholic Church. Joe is survived in love by his wife Jean Ann, three daughters, Diana (Leland) Faugno of Escondido, California, Lee Ann Jensen of Fargo, and Patricia (Steven )Ahlschlager of Underwood, his sister Deloris (Roman) Berg of Wahpeton, seven grandchildren, Christopher (Becca) Faugno, Brenda (Charles) Hammonds, Jeremy (Lisa) Jensen, Jody Jensen, Jessie (Jesus`) Sandoval, Amanda (Kelcey) Klemm and Donald Ahlschlager and special friend Kely Wakely, as well as four great-grandchildren, Mikayla and Triston Hammonds, Elise Jensen and Amado Sandoval. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Ervin and Wilfred, and two sisters Lucille Knutson and Dorothy Schmitt Ebel. Services: Saturday, October 20th at 10:30 a.m. in St James Catholic Church, rural Underwood Visitation: Friday evening, October 19th from 5 to 7 pm at St James Catholic Church Prayers: Friday evening, Rosary at 7:00 followed by Parish Prayers Clergy: Father Paul Folsom Burial: St James Catholic Church Cemetery, rural Underwood Arrangements: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com