Wilhelm (Bill) Haeni

Wilhelm (Bill) Haeni, age 90 of Marshfield, went home to his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 21, 2020.

A private family service will be held at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home, 1010 East Veterans Parkway on Friday, January 8, 2020. Entombment will take place in Hillside Cemetery. A public visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, January 8, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Hansen-Schilling Funeral Home.

Bill was born on January 27, 1930 in Auburndale, WI to Adolph and Ida (Lehnerr) Haeni who immigrated to the United States in 1923 with four children, the other five would be born in Wisconsin. Willy, as his mother and siblings would call him was the youngest son. The family would move several times before buying a farm south of Lindsey.  The farm had no plumbing, they used wood stoves to heat and cook. He grew up using horses to do the farm work, eventually using tractors to do the field work. It was a place he loved dearly, a love he shared with his son, Robert.

Bill attended a one room school house until 6th grade, he would go on to get GED  in the service. He was a devoted son and could have stayed out of the military, but enlisted to do his duty during the Korean conflict. He was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska for three years. He loved Alaska and often talked about his years of service there. The love of his life, Darlene Wesenberg, would join him there. They were married on April 8th 1952 in Anchorage, Alaska. Bill would have loved to stay in Alaska, but Darlene missed home and he went back to help his parents run the farm. He took a job at Roddis Doors and would become lead foreman. He would help on the farm during the day and on weekends.

Bill and Darlene would adopt three children, Robert in 1956, Cindy in 1959 and Vicki in 1965.

He would retire from Weyerhauser (Roddis) Corporation at 52. He then became a certified Locksmith opening B&D Lock, which he owned and operated until his death. He was always happy to get up in the middle of the night to “rescue” people who were locked out of their house or car. He made many lasting friendships over the years that were very important to him.  He kept up on the latest technology with his computer and smart phone.

After Darlene passed, he opened up more and we would spend time talking about his life growing up, his life with Darlene, how they met and the dates they went on. She was truly the love of his life. He missed her so much. Dad talked about his time in the Army, life in Alaska and when they adopted his children. Bill had a special bond with his mother, she depended on him and he was her confidant. Dad, Cindy and Robert would take longs drives to Phillips, Osseo or just around the farm and land. We would be sure to stop for coffee and pie. Cindy will cherish the weekly fish fries and Sunday brunches, all the laughing and talking. Vicki always kept Dad stocked up with word finds. Bill was an amazing man with such a good heart. Dad was always there for his “kids” he could fix anything. He deeply loved his Sweetheart Darlene and his children. He was one of a kind and will be dearly missed by his children.

Bill is lovingly survived by his children: Robert (Paul Thesing) of Milwaukee, Cindy (Dana) Stelton of Marshfield and Vicki (Dan) Ramer from South Carolina, His grandchildren: Eric Reigel, Brett Stelton and Justin Sawicky and his great grandson Konner Reigel. He is preceded in death by his wife: Darlene; his parents: Adolph and Ida; and his siblings: Adolph Jr., Ida Jr., Robert, Mary, Arthur, Fritz, Elsa and Anna and his great granddaughter: Olivia Reigel.  

Masks and social distancing will be appreciated during the visitation.

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