Harold Hauffe

Hauffe, Harold Russell

Harold Russell Hauffe, of Mayville, Wisconsin, passed away on April 6, 2014, in Oshkosh with family at his side. He was born on May 10, 1929, in Delavan, Wisconsin, to Paul and Irene (nee Witt) Hauffe. He and his brother, Robert, grew up in Delavan where both graduated high school. He served overseas as a Sergeant in the United States Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. During that conflict, Harold received a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service, an honor of which he never spoke with his family.

After exiting the army, he returned to Delavan to pursue a degree at Whitewater State College. He graduated with a teaching degree in 1956 and immediately began his teaching career in the Mayville School District where he was employed for the next 34 years. During that time, he was a guidance counselor, a history teacher, a driver's education instructor, an assistant principal, an athletic coach, and a buildings and grounds supervisor. Many Mayville residents over 40 probably still remember being taught to drive by Mr. Hauffe.

While enrolled in a summer educational course at Ripon College in 1957, he met the love of his life, Lois Sumnicht. In less than one year after their first meeting, they were married on June 21, 1958; in May, 1959, their son, Paul, was born followed four years later by daughter, Ann. They were married for 46 terrific years until cancer took Lois in 2004.

Harold loved his family and his community, and many activities that embraced both. Through the years, he loved to give back to his community, Mayville, and his church, St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church. He served as a Sunday school teacher, church council member, and building and grounds volunteer for many, many years. When Lois wrangled him into helping her deliver Meals on Wheels in Mayville, he was right there chauffeuring her around. He was a long-time member of Mayville Lions, where he especially loved to cut the lawns at Lion's Park. Harold took a great deal of satisfaction and pride from his role as dedicated teacher. In his early years of teaching, that dedication extended to the role of coach; he was known to many as "Coach" Hauffe on the football field, basketball court, and tennis court.

He enjoyed the simplicities of life--gardening, especially growing his tomato plants; puttering around the yard; trapping the pesky squirrels and rabbits and turning them loose in woods nearby; eating a good Friday night fish fry with family; spending time with his mother in Delavan; chatting with Wisconsin Street neighbors, listening to Brewers games on WTMJ radio or watching them on TV with a big bowl of popcorn; and going for drives and long road trips. The road trips involved traveling by car for two weeks every summer to visit different National Parks and regions throughout the United States. Over the years, he traveled to all 50 of the United States...most of them with the whole family in tow. Harold's travel bug continued to bite as long as he was able to drive; for several years, he wintered in Lynn Haven, Florida with his special friend, Jackie Snyder.

After retiring from teaching, he continued to serve the community as a school board member for the next 12 years. During that time, he also served as a member of the Board of Control for CESA (Cooperative Educational Service Agency).

Harold is preceded in death by his wife, Lois, and brother, Robert. He is survived by his son, Paul of Neenah, Wisconsin, and his daughter, Ann (Andrew) Reise of Omro, Wisconsin. He is further survived by three nieces, Georgia Hauffe of Lynn Haven, Florida, Paula Hauffe of Marianna, Florida, and Kim (Wade) Mapes of McFarland, Wisconsin.

A memorial service will be held at Koepsell Funeral Home in Mayville at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13. Friends and family may also visit and reminisce at Koepsell Funeral Home prior to the service from noon to 2:00. Inurnment will take place at Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Wisconsin, at a later date.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers and hospice caregivers who helped provide comfort to Harold during the final chapter of his life.