Jake Patrick Van Hefty

Jake Patrick Van Hefty, age 22, passed away peacefully on Feb. 20, 2025 with his family by his side.

Born on June 17, 2002 to Pat and Heather Van Hefty, Jake was a Minocqua man through and through. A graduate of Lakeland Union High School, his school years were filled with athletic accomplishments that included multiple varsity letters in track, cross country running and Nordic ski. With opportunity to leave the area after graduating, he spent one semester in college at St. Norbert in De Pere and then chose to return to Minocqua to fulfill his position with Stengl Marine where he was elevated to a sales position when he was still 18. He transitioned to online schooling and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Business. With the guidance of the Stengl family and sales manager Mark Mapes – Jake quickly found his way to become a knowledgeable salesman that so many came to trust and seek his opinions on boats and watersports. Jake embraced change as the Stengl family welcomed in Gage Marine, and he took every opportunity to grow & learn with the new company. His passion for his career was evident with anyone that had the opportunity to meet him.

The day before his 21st Birthday, Jake was fortunate to purchase his first home in the Minocqua area located along the Bearskin Trail which allowed him quick access for biking, hiking and snowmobiling, three of his favorites. A great place to exercise his first dog - Kona. Jake and Kona were often found travelling the trail or running around his house. Jake was never to be found in front of a TV but rather in front of a project – his home renovations, raising chickens, gardening, fixing and maintaining his tools and toys. Many have shared that Jake was an old soul, buying a home, his choice of hobbies and meeting the love of his life, Alyssa, all at a young age.

He was a lover of all things, and did not miss a chance to live life. Waterskiing, surfing, canoeing, fishing, ATVing, snowmobiling, biking, downhill & Nordic skiing, he lived for every moment that he could fit into his short life. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved spending time at his families’ hunting camp near the Willow Flowage. Blackberry picking, long walks and family time were equally important to him as his time spent hunting there.

Jake also valued his relationships – his family was paramount to him. With a special eye toward his younger siblings, he was so proud of both and their individual accomplishments. His brother Casey had a very special place in his life, and doubled as his best friend. His patience with his sister Sylvia was well noted, and the amount of responsibility he had to take on with her, he did with pride. Rarely a day went by that there was not at least a phone conversation with Dad, and never a week that they were not tinkering on some kind of project together or talking about what was going to be worked on next at camp or home, in a unique way they mentored each other. His special kindness for his Mom was like no other, and anyone that saw them together read into that quickly. Grandpa time was golden & holidays & random family dinners with his Aunt Nicole, Uncle Dan, & cousins Gale & Primo always remained a priority even into early adulthood. Hunting week was sacred, not for the hunt but for the time with Uncle Tom, Uncle Jim & Cousins Sam & William. Jake held strong to and valued his friendships with his High School friends Tyler, Forest & Harry that had left the area, and cherished every visit he had with them. He would share – I will be the anchor here that keeps us all together. He counted down the minutes until each time Alyssa would be home from college so they could cook together, snuggle with Kona and spend time with her family.

Jake holds a special place in the hearts of his family as well as everyone that met him and we are comforted in knowing he was greeted by his Grandpa Jim, Grandma Jeanne, and Grandma Carol. While we grieve for the loss of our sweet Jake – we have been blessed with the love that he brought to our lives and know his contagious smile will forever warm our hearts.

If you feel compelled to assist with unexpected costs a check can be made to and sent to: Crossbridge Community Bank. Attn Deb Duncan PO Box 159 Tomahawk, WI 54487. Please add Jake Van Hefty in the memo line. We can not thank you enough.

The visitation for Jake was held on Saturday, March 1st from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Woodruff, WI with a Funeral Service at 1:00 pm and a luncheon to follow. A sunset burial took place at Minocqua Memorial Cemetery.

If you were not able to attend the service and would still like to be a part of it, it was recorded and can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caOAdW_GgtA

For the link to the songs that were played at Jakes service please visit https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5AbhfvNnuYlQTka5bduJCk?si=_JbiIzolQpWYY5P1JnlsKA&pi=0TdPAEbtSYCo6

The outpouring of support from our friends, family and this community has been overwhelming, and for this we are so very thankful.