Ann Katherine Hauser

Ann Katherine Hauser, age 88, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2026. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, February 16, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Platteville. Private family burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Platteville. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville and will continue on Monday from 9:30 AM until10:30 AM. Memorials may be made in Ann K. Hauser Memorial Fund, which will be used to set up a scholarship in her name at Platteville High School. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Ann was born in Platteville, Wisconsin, on October 20, 1937, the third child of John and Olive (Neuwohner) Richards. She was united in marriage to Roger Hauser on August 13, 1960, at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Roger preceded her in death on November 9, 2021. Ann graduated from Platteville High School in 1955 and earned her bachelor's degree in English from Wisconsin State College in Platteville. She later obtained a Master's Degree in Physical Education from the University of Northern Colorado while Roger pursued his doctorate. Ann taught in several school districts, including Chippewa Falls and Cuba City, but was most proud of teaching physical education at St. Mary's School for more than 20 years until her retirement. Ann and Roger were active members of the St. Mary's Church and UW–Platteville communities.

Ann spent her early years playing with her siblings and neighbors on Siemers Street. A natural athlete, she developed a love of sports well before the era of organized women's athletics. As a result, she became a lifelong advocate for women's and youth sports and physical fitness. She coached softball for the Platteville Legionettes and Patriots, coached the UW–Platteville women's track and field teams, and officiated women's high school and collegiate basketball and volleyball. A well-known WIAA volleyball official, she was recognized on the court by her gray hair and her fair, consistent officiating. Ann refereed two generations of volleyball players, officiated multiple WIAA State Volleyball Tournaments, and was inducted into the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015. In 2001, she was inducted into the UW–Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of her service to women's athletics.

Ann's broad interests included time spent at "the farm," which she and Roger owned with her brothers the late Gerald "Boots" and Ted (Sande) Richards. She especially enjoyed hosting picnics there for her beloved grandchildren and extended family and teaching them to be adventurous outdoors. Nearing retirement, Ann and Roger purchased a cottage in Wisconsin's Northwoods, where they enjoyed time with multiple generations of family.

Ann is survived by her four children: Kelly (Scott) Thompson, Heidi (Donald) Sutherland, Tony (Andrea Parisi) Hauser, and Holly (Robert) Wright; four grandchildren, Katelyn (Johnathon) Williams, Hunter (Morgan) Thompson, Michael Sutherland, and Matthew Sutherland; and four great-grandchildren, Olive and Gwen Williams, and Summer and Vincent Thompson. She is also survived by her sister, Doris Mergen; brothers Theodore (Sande) Richards, Phil (Donna) Richards, and Mark (Juliette) Richards; sister Chris (John) Yingling; brother-in-law Dan (Dorothy) Hauser; sister-in-law Mary Grimm; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Edenbrook, St. Croix Hospice, the physicians of Southwest Health for their expert care. They would also like to express special thanks to family friend Mary Jo Hennessy.