Hal Hefti

Hal Hefti died Monday, August 27, 2007 at his home with family at his side.
Harold Owen Hefti was born November 20, 1947 in LaCrosse, WI to Clifford Lee and Peggy Joyce (Owen) Hefti. Hal graduated from Central High School in 1965. He attended UW- LaCrosse before enlisting in the Air Force. He attended UW  Stevens Point from 1971  1975. He was an active member in the Vets 550.

Hal was married to Cheryl Krause from 1966  1969.

Hal was united in marriage to Kathryn Gast on May 22, 1971. They accepted a position with the Christian Ministry in the National Parks, first in Cooke City, MT for the summer of 1975, where Hal was the student pastor of Mt. Republic Chapel of Peace and then at the Grand Canyon in 1976 where he was the coordinator of the ministry team. In the fall of 1976, they moved to New Brighton, MN where he attended United Theological Seminary. In 1977, they added the responsibility of head residents at Drew Hall, Hamlin University in St. Paul, MN. He ended his studies at UTS in 1979. They moved to Baxter, MN in 1980 to leave metro life behind and head to the country for a position with the State Fire Marshall division. Kathi and Hal adopted Janessa InSook Hefti in April of 1983.

When not out inspecting for fire safety, Hal enjoyed hunting, racquetball, tennis, biking  both bicycle and motorcycle, and traveling.

Hal retired in 2005 to have more time for he and Kathi to continue their love of travel and hobbies and for Hal to spend more time with his grandson, Rylan.

Hal is survived by his wife, Kathi; daughter, Janessa (Chee) Hefti-Lee; grandson, Rylan, of Middleton, WI; his mother, Peggy Hefti, of LaCrosse, WI; his brothers, Clif (Debbie) Hefti and Dan (Sally) Hefti, of Holmen, WI; his nieces and nephews, Ryan (Rebecca) Hefti, of Newton, NC, Stephanie (Kevin) Tyburski, of Onalaska, Jared Hefti, of LaCrosse, Diana (Joshua) Clark and Kaylie, of New Glarus, WI, Stephanie Johnson and her daughters, Caitlyn and Makenzie of Onalaska, and Danny O. Hefti, of LaCrosse, WI.

His mother-in-law, Ruth Gast, lives in Garner, IA. He is also survived by his brothers-in-law, Doran (Marilyn) Gast, of Stillwater, NY, Eldon (Clara) Gast, of Garner, IA; and nephews-in-law, Clifford Gast and Octavia and Logan, of Stillwater, NY, Curt (Marya) Gast of Hendersonville, NC, Jed Gast of Garner, IA, and Will Gast of Estherville, IA.

He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Clifford L. Hefti, his father-in-law, Loren Gast; and his grandparents, Celia and Harold Owen and Peter and Hazel Hefti.

Hal taught us all how to live, laugh, and love, and now how to fight the fight of cancer and yet die with dignity. We want to thank the staff at Good Samaritan Hospice for their support and care, which allowed Hal to remain in the comfort of his own home. We also want to thank the staff at the Brainerd Medical Center oncology department for their ongoing support, expertise and guidance. They were our second family.

Services will be on Thursday, August 30 at 11 AM at the Park United Methodist Church in Brainerd. Visitation will also be held at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN on Wednesday, August 29 from 5  7 PM. There will also be a memorial service and interment in LaCrosse, WI on Saturday, September 15 at 11 AM at the Wesley United Methodist Church.

The family requests donations are given to prostate cancer research, Good Samaritan Hospice or Park United Methodist Church.

Please visit www.brenny.com to leave message of comfort and support for Hals service. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.