Alfred M. Hack

Alfred "Al" M. Hack 84, Marathon, died Monday, May 5, 2008 at Hospice House under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services. He was born November 4, 1923 in Marathon, son of the late Joseph and Martha (Heil) Hack. On June 9, 1948 he married Mae Wardius in Allenton, Wisconsin. She survives. He was a sergeant in the United States Army from 1943 until 1946 and was a member of the American Legion Alois Dreikosen Post No. 469, Marathon. Al had several jobs over the years including Wiedmeyer Farms in West Bend, Level Valley Dairy and Gehl Manufacturing. He then moved to Edgar and bought a dairy farm also working at Mundt Distributing and Johnson Oil. In 1963 he bought the home farm in Marathon and drove school bus for the Marathon School District and later worked at Marathon Cheese doing maintenance. It was his lifelong dream to own a restaurant and in 1978 he opened Hacks Diner. He loved horses and was a lifetime member of the Golden Horse Shoe Club. In his spare time he enjoyed camping up North with his wife, gardening and was never without his faithful companion, Skipper by his side. He will be remembered for his many sayings including, "have a mighty fine day", "finer than frogs hair" and his latest , "just like downtown." Survivors include his wife, Mae, Marathon; children, Shirley (Brian) Schultz, Marathon, Charlotte Bales, West Bend, John (Candy) Hack, Marathon, Sharon (Harold Jr.) Theis, Marathon, Jean (Ernest Jr.) Walters, Mosinee, Thomas (Lori) Hack, Mosinee and Therese (Andrew) Deininger, Edgar; grandchildren, Eugene Loren, Chad Lemmer, Branden Schultz, Matthew Bales, Scott (special friend Joanna Nelson) Hack, Joseph Theis, Evan Walters, Melissa (Dan) Hager, Tyler Hack, Ryan (special friend Johanna Schmidt) Stieber and Megan Deininger; seven great grandchildren, one great great grandchild; sister, Irene Karlen, Wausau; brother, Rufus (Marchita) Hack, Calif.; sisters-in-law, Donna Hack, Marathon and Joan Hack, Wausau, many other relatives and friends. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by four brothers, Clarence "Tiny", Orville, Harry and Joseph Jr. "Sonny". The funeral Mass will be celebrated at Noon on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Entombment will be in the Garden of Eternal Rest, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call Wednesday, May 7, 2008 from 4 - 8 p.m. at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon and again on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be an American Legion Memorial Service at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday held by the American Legion Post No. 469, Marathon. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Krista, his special little angel and to the staff of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the compassionate care given to Al. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Marathon, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com