Hazel Stauffacher

Hazel K. Stauffacher, age 95 of Darlington, WI passed away Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Lafayette Manor in Darlington. She was born March 15, 1923 at her home in LaValle, WI the daughter of John E. and Ruth Ann (Garfoot) Holden. She was united in marriage to Edwin R. Stauffacher on May 28, 1943 at University Methodist Church in Madison, WI. Edwin preceded her in death on March 15, 1991. Except for the two years from 1946 - 1948 when they lived in Portage, WI, Hazel and Edwin farmed near Calamine until 1990 when they retired and moved into Darlington. From 1980-1985, Hazel worked part-time as a proof reader at the Republican Journal in Darlington. Hazel attended grade school in LaValle, graduated from Platteville High School in 1941, and later graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1945. While at UW-Madison, Hazel was on the staff of the Daily Cardinal and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board. Hazel was a member of Immanuel United Church of Christ in Darlington and an active member of its Women's Guild. She served on both the Darlington School Board and Library Boards and was proud to have donated over 13 gallons of blood to the American Red Cross. Hazel cherished her family and the time they spent together more than anything in the world. She enjoyed cross word puzzles, watching game shows, playing cards and reading. Hazel is survived by her children: Jim (Miriam) Stauffacher of Morgan Mill, TX, Jerry Stauffacher of Darlington, Bob (Paula) Stauffacher of Platteville and Ruth (Reggie) Lillie of Madison; her grandchildren: Melissa (Wally) Breuer, Renee Stauffacher, Heath Stauffacher, Julie (Trevor) Stephenson, Eric (Adrienne) Stauffacher, Jed Stauffacher, Jenni (Jared) Stackman, Summer Stauffacher, Tim (Nikki) Stauffacher, Gina (Tom) Les, Kathy (James) Barke, Joe Stauffacher, Karl Stauffacher, Kate (Tim Davis) Stauffacher, and Wilson (Kimberly) Stauffacher; four step-grandchildren: Destiny, Kiara, Reggie, Jr., and Savanna Lillie; 20 great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Dorothy Holden, Olga Holden, and Ruby Garrett; additional survivors include: Shirley Stauffacher and Mary Ann Hanson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Edwin; two sons: Eugene in 1999 and Don in 2005; two daughters-in-law: Bobbi Stauffacher and Donna Stauffacher; three brothers: John, Donald, and Blair Holden; and her in-laws: John (Mildred) Stauffacher, Ronald (Mary) Garrett, and Hilda Holden. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 11:15 A.M. at Immanuel United Church of Christ (339 E. Louisa Street, Darlington) with Rev. Stephen Stauffacher and Rev. Barbara Brakey co-officiating. Burial will be in Union Grove Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday, April 28, 2018 from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at the church. The Steil-Erickson Funeral Home in Darlington is serving the family. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Hazel's name.