Virginia May Hafenstein

Virginia May Hafenstein, 92, of Fort Atkinson passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2012, at the Golden Living Center in Fort Atkinson.

Virginia and her twin sister, Marguerite, were born on May 16, 1919 in Milwaukee, daughters of the late Anton and Rose (Irmisher) Queiser. The girls were their first born children and Virginia was the second born of the twins.

In her earlier childhood years, she lived in Milwaukee but then the family bought a farm and moved to Farmington where she helped work the farm for many years. A brother still lives on the family farm today.

Virginia married her first husband, Melvin Janke, on December 17, 1938 in the Town of Concord. Together, they ran the Janke Hardware and Grocery Store in Helenville for many years. Virginia poured her heart and soul into the store during the years she was associated with it. Melvin and Virginia divorced in 1960. After the divorce, Virginia worked at the Meadow Springs Golf Course and also Schweiger Industries.

Virginia married her second husband, Lester Albert Hafenstein, on June 3, 1961 in the City of Fort Atkinson. They spent their married years living in the City of Jefferson on Hillside Dr. Virginia was a housewife and mother during her marriage. Lester passed away on May 15, 1979.

Virginia, as well as her twin, were very artistic and creative. Both could paint beautiful, scenic pictures. Virginias homes were always filled with murals and paintings. Virginia was also very handy and could build anything she envisioned. A hammer, nails and a saw were always nearby.

She also was well known for her love of African violets. She grew thousands of them and would go every Saturday for years to the Dane County Farmers Market to sell them. She usually sold out every week as her violets were always the most beautiful. Having the green thumb that she did, her flowers and yard was always impeccable. She had a big garden each year with perfectly aligned rows without a weed in them. Her home was also known in the neighborhood for her perfectly trimmed hedges. She would be out there with her shears and yardstick several times a season making them look their best. Virginia loved spending her time outdoors with her gardens and flowers and was happiest tending to them. She was able to continue working in her gardens until her early 80s when it became too hard for her do

Virginia was able to stay at home and live alone until her mid 80s when she was no longer able to care for herself. After a brief stay at Countryside Home in Jefferson in 2006, she lived some good years at the Blackhawk Senior Residence until August of 2009 when she moved to the Golden Living Center.

Survivors include her only child, a daughter, Susan Diana (Hafenstein) Ebert of Fort Atkinson; a brother, Ray (Ruth) Queiser of Fort Atkinson; a brother, Lawrence (Joretta) Queiser of rural Watertown; step-daughter, Beverly (Tom) Ebert of Watertown; and two step-sons, Richard (Karen) Hafenstein of Johnson Creek and Russell of Brown Deer; and nieces and nephews.

Virginia was preceded in death by her twin sister, Marguerite Bingen in 1996; her sister, Lucille Sally Shupp in 1995; an infant brother, Russell; a sister-in-law, Muriel Queiser; a niece, Ellen Masche; a nephew, Jeff Queiser; and her fur grandpets, a cat, Mildred, and a dog, Simon. Virginia and Simon had quite a special relationship and without a doubt he was waiting for her at the Rainbow Bridge.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Dunlap Memorial Home with Pastor Bill Beyer officiating.

Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery in Jefferson.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 19 and after 10 a.m. on Friday at the memorial home until time of service.

Virginias daughter, Sue, would like to thank the staffs of the Blackhawk Senior Residence, the Golden Living Center and Aseracare Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Virginia over the past several years.

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