George J. Haffner

Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church in Rice for George J. Haffner, age 87, of Rice who passed away April 15, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital with family at his side. Reverend Harvey Ehlers will officiate. Burial will take place in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery in Waite Park with full military honors.

Relatives and friends may call from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday at the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud. VFW Post 428 ritual will be at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue after 9 a.m. on Monday at the church in Rice.

George was born February 2, 1923 in Gilman, MN to Nicholas and Mary (Leitow) Haffner. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He married Irene Habiger on October 12, 1946 in Waite Park. Irene passed away January 26, 1973. He married Jeanette Will on February 23, 1974 in St. Cloud. Jeanette passed away November 26, 2000. He worked at DeZurik’s for over 40 years. He retired in 1988. He was a longtime resident in Rice and a member of Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church. He was also a lifetime member of the VFW Post 428.

George enjoyed bowling, hunting and fishing, spending time at North Long Lake near Brainerd and spending time with family.

George is survived by his children Carol (Ed) Volkers of Sauk Rapids, Roger (Rose) Haffner of Waite Park, daughter-in-law Diane (Reberg) Haffner of Sauk Rapids, Diane (Lloyd) Roering of Sauk Rapids, Karen Smith of Rice, Mark MacDonald of St. Cloud, Sharon (John) LaValle of Rice, Susan (Dean) Johnson of St. Cloud, and Ronald (Marie) Haffner of California, 23 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, one great great granddaughter and sister Rosemary Roering of St. Cloud.

Preceding him in death were his parents, spouses, sons Daniel and Joseph, son-in-law Ross Smith, grandson Ricky Volkers, and brothers and sisters Ben, Clara Kujawa, Clarence, Myrtle Bartel, Harold, Richard and John.

Memorials are preferred.