Howard John Hatzinger

April 12, 1920 - April 26, 2008

Mr. Howard (Howie) John Hatzinger passed away at his home on Saturday, April 26, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with bone cancer and heart disease. Howard was 88 years old.

Howard was born Catholic on April 12, 1920, in Columbus, Wisconsin to Frank and Luella (Sadowski) Hatzinger.

Mr. Hatzinger served in the U.S. 54th Army Infantry, 9th Division, in WWII from 1941 to 1945 as a Platoon Sergeant. Howard was stationed in Africa (stating that Morocco was beautiful), Algeria, Central Europe, Northern France, Germany, Normandy, Rhineland, Sicily and Tunisian. He was Honorably discharged on September 10, 1945 receiving; Combat Infantry Badge, American Defense Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon, 1 Silver Battle Star, 3 Bronze Battle Stars, 1 Bronze Arrowhead, 5 Overseas Bars, a Service Stripe, Lapel Button, and a Purple Heart.

Howard married Dorothy Gertrude Reinert on November 27, 1945 in Columbus. They had met before Howard left for WWII and Dorothy waited for him to return. Howard and Dorothy had four wonderful sons, John of Carson City, NV, Marc (Donna), Paul, and Hugh (Brenda), all of Beaver Dam, They had six amazing grandchildren, Twila (Jon) Hankes, Megan (Jake) Leick, Amanda, Kara, Matthew, and Kelsey Rae Anne. Also, one great grandson, Henry Edward Hankes. He had one nephew, Thomas (Lisa) Hatzinger, great nieces, Teresa (Chris) Janusz, Jessica, and Kristin, and great-great nieces, Calista and Breanna Janusz. Howard and Dorothy loved their children so much and were very proud of all of them. They especially enjoyed the grandchildren and spent a lot of time with them. Howard was especially touched by becoming a great grandfather to Henry Edward Hankes.

Howard worked as a carpenter for 22 years. He then worked for the State of Wisconsin in the Engineering Department at Mendota State Hospital for 13 years, retiring in 1983. Howard spent his retirement helping his sons build their homes, doing carpentry work, go-kart riding, having many meals at The Crystal Creek Dairy House, and fishing.

Howard Hatzinger was a wonderful, intelligent, independent, spirited man whose life has touched us all. His laugh was contagious and his heart was as big as they come.

Howard was proceeded in death by his loving wife Dorothy, brother, Urban Hatzinger, sisters-in-law, Crystal Hatzinger, and Eleanor Ihrke, his parents, Frank and Luella Hatzinger, grandparents and other relatives.

Howard will be deeply missed by family, friends, neighbors, and anyone he has met. Special thanks to his neighbors who checked on him daily and took him his newspaper. Also to the family from “The Cheese House” who enjoyed his frequent visits and made sure he was alright when he wasn”t there.

Visitation for Howard will be on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at the Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM. The John E. Miller American Legion Post #146 is invited to pay their respects at 6:00 PM. There will also be a visitation on Friday, May 2, 2008 at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 127 W. Maple Ave. from 11:00 AM until 12:00 noon. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday at the church with Fr. Carlos Florez officiating. Burial will take place at St. Peter”s Cemetery, Town of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin.

The Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. Online condolences may be made on our website at www.MurrayFH.com.

Service Details

Friday, May 2nd, 2008, 12:00pm, St. Katharine Drexel Maple Ave. Church-Beaver Dam

Interment Details

St. Peter’s Cemetery-Beaver Dam

Mr. Howard (Howie) John Hatzinger passed away at his home on Saturday, April 26, 2008 after a long and courageous battle with bone cancer and heart disease. Howard was 88 years old. Howard was born Catholic on April 12, 1920, in Columbus, Wisconsin to Frank and Luella (Sadowski) Hatzinger. Mr. Hatzinger served in the U.S.Continue Reading

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Our condolences to the family. Tom and Carolyn Ruse

With deepest sympathies from your friends at Research Products Corporation.

I''m very sorry to hear about your loss. I worked at Crystal Creek for 6 years and enjoyed seeing Howie daily. I have not worked there in the last 4 years but I have seen him around and always made sure I said Hi when I saw him. He was a very good man and touched the hearts of many people. Again, I am very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Our condolences to the family. Tom and Carolyn Ruse

With deepest sympathies from your friends at Research Products Corporation.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

The entire Helwig family is in my thoughts today. I was very sad to hear that my Aunt Doretta had passed away last Friday. I have such great memories of growing up and looking forward to our frequent trips to Columbus - watching my Dad and Uncle Bill working together - and then having dinner complete with loaves of home-baked bread. I also remember traveling across the country together - and Doretta was always the navigator. I don't recall if we ever got lost along the way - but if we did, I'm sure we had fun doing so. I certainly will remember Doretta with a smile. She will always have a warm place in my heart - and I'm sure everyone in my family would agree. Thinking of you all - Randy

06.03.08 Hey How ~ Hope this Email travels the Express Route to Heaven. When we heard about you leaving us for the Better Life, I thought of the Gabfest you & I had @ Crystal Creek recently. As much as we talked then, that will Pale compared to the Major Reminiscing when your Family & mine are all tucked inside the Pearly Gates. So for now, keep showing Papa Byron the Heavenly version of Carpentry & Outboard Stuff. Carpentry in Heaven kinda gives a new meaning to Building the Kingdom! You being our longest tenured employee should be good for a few Capital Brownie Points also. I''m building a 4''x12'' workbench now, w/ a Tempered Masonite top like you showed me, so please give me your Guiding Light. See you later. Love, Tony & the whole Spangler Tribe guiding light

My sympathy to you Marc, on losing your Father. I sang in the funeral choir so I didn''t get a chance to see you either before or after the Mass. I know you''ve moved from Beaver Dam and don''t have your new address, so I''m glad that Murray''s offers this service.

Thinking of your family during these very trying times. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless Howard and his family.

We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.