On October 11, 2012 Joseph John Hafla went to meet his Lord.
Joe was born on August 20, 1916 on his folks’ homestead located in the Cohagen area. He was the first son born to Anna Hanel Hafla and Anton Joseph Hafla. Two sisters waited for his arrival and seven other siblings followed.
Joe attended the Hafla School which was near his parents’ homestead. He learned at an early age how to handle horses for riding and field work. By the time Joe was 15 years old he worked for a local sheep man in the summertime and on his parents’ homestead during the winter.
In 1936 Joe met the local school teacher, the love of his life, Marie Peterson marrying in 1937.
In 1937 Joe and Marie purchased the Kuchera Homestead, but due to crop failures from grasshoppers and hail Joe began working for the Crow Rock Corporation for a short period of time so he could continue building up their farm. Throughout the years Joe and Marie worked hard to add land and buildings to improve their holdings.
Joe was active in his community serving on the local school board for almost 20 years and the ASCS Board for over 20 years. He always was willing to help a neighbor or his kids. Joe’s passions were family, the land and going to auctions.
They sold their farms to their sons in 1982 when they retired.
In 1992 Joe and Marie moved to Miles City. Joe worked endlessly on the yard and garden, something he did not have time to do while on the farm.
Joe was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 74 ½ years in May 2012, a son, three sisters, three brothers, his parents, a son-in-law, one grandson, one great-grandson, two great-granddaughters and one grand son-in-law.
He is survived by his children Patricia Ann Campbell of Powder River, MT, Irene Clare (Jimmy) Wells of Great Falls, MT, Donald Luke (Margaret) Hafla of Cohagen, MT, Jane Marie (Ray) Rath of Miles City, MT, Linda Alice (Kenny) Rich of Sand Springs, MT and Timothy Joseph (Cheri) Hafla of Cohagen, MT, as well as two sisters, one brother, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and special friend Willie Carter.
Visitation will be held Friday, October 19, 2012 beginning at 1:00 p.m. Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with a Rosary Service beginning at 5:30 p.m. A Vigil Service will follow at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.
Should friends desire memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
5:30 p.m. Rosary- 6:00 p.m. Vigil Service
Friday October 19, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday October 20, 2012
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Family to Receive Friends
4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday October 19, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Rosary & Vigil
5:30 p.m. Rosary- 6:00 p.m. Vigil Service
Friday October 19, 2012
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Saturday October 20, 2012
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Rose Timmons says
Jane; I want to send you my condolenses to you and your family..I will miss him, I have had you and Joe on my mind this week. May God Be With You and Your Family as you take another journey of losing your loved one. Most Sincerely: Rose
Jo Ryan says
Sending my condolenses to all of you. May you know he is in the Lord’s hands now and will be at Peace. Thinking of you and Prayers to you all. Jo
Debra Currey Terrett says
May God’ s peace be with your family. I had the honor of caring for your Dad and what a gentleman he was. I watched him come each day to be with your Mom and the love and devotion was inspirational. He is so happy to be at home with Marie and they are both in perfect health now. Blessings and God’s comfort to your family.
Gerome and Rita Wemmer and family says
Deepest sorrow at this time. Your loss has been great this year. May God’s tender mercies be with you all at this time. Our prayers are with you.
Karen and Allen lBarnes says
To all of Joe’s family – Please accept our sympathy in your loss. Joe was a member of Allen’s Co. Comm. at the ASC for many years and also became a friend that we thought a lot of. He will be missed. Our thoughts are with each of you in your loss.
Steve and Brinda Pluhar says
To Joe’s family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May you be comforted at this time and know that we have fond memories of your father, he was a good neighbor and friend and will be missed. God bless you.
Cindy and Dale Berg says
To Joe’s Family,
We were saddened to hear about Joe. He was a wonderful man and a great neighbor. We have many fond memories of Joe and Marie. They are together again! You are all in our thoughts and prayers. The Bergs
anthony p. dyba says
My Mother’s Brother Joe, was a very special Uncle, who guided me in My early years, I will miss Him, He is in My prayers.
(TINY) Tony Dyba.
Carol Rath Raschkow says
To Joe’s family,
My sympathies and prayers go out to each and everyone of you. I am so sorry for your loss. God Bless You all as you go through the grieving process.
Carol Rath Rashkow
Cheryl Smutt says
Joe’s Family
I am very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Roxanne and Bill Harding says
To the Hafla Family..
The passing of a great man. Joe will be greatly missed. We have found memories of Joe at the auction sales and all his wonderful garden produce he use to bring to me at Pacific. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Harding Family and the staff from Pacific Steel and Recycling
Dallas & Family says
Pat, You and your family our in our thoughts. Mom and Dad are together again.
Donna Schmidt says
You are in my thoughts and prayers. My sincere sympathy.
Gloria and D.J. Milroy says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May the Lord walk with each of you and may your beautiful memories be a comfort to you.
Alvin and Denise Rich says
We are so sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Our sincere sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with all you.
Sheila (Cremer) and Ross Walrath says
To the famiy:
Your folks were among the kindest, gentlest and most loving couples that we have known. Uncle Joe was an example to us all in the love he demonstrated for his beloved Marie. May the memories of their love for you and for each other sustain you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.