Glenn S. Haukeness

Glenn S. Haukeness, 88, of rural Strum, died peacefully on Friday, October 4, 2013 at his home. Glenn was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on January 24, 1925 to John and Gunda (Lien) Haukeness. His family moved to Osseo when he was 6 years old. He attended Lincoln Hill High School in Osseo, WI. Glenn's occupational life was extraordinary in the richness of the variety of jobs he held. In 1941, Glenn began his work career at the age of 16 when he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to help his family financially. To assist the war effort during WWII, he worked in a defense plant in St. Paul, MN. After the war, he went to the Minnesota School of Business and studied accounting. He used these skills working at City Service Oil Company in St. Paul, MN. In 1948, Glenn returned to the Osseo-Strum area and never left again. He opened Glenn's Good Food Cafe in Foster, WI. He hired a waitress who could also bake, cook and make his heart sing. He “thought it would be better to marry his waitress than to pay her wages”, so on February 16, 1948 he married Luella Mae Rosenberg at the Congregational Church in Osseo. She died July 3, 2009. In 1949, Glenn and Lue moved to Strum. There they raised their three boys, Glenn Jr., Steven, and Timothy. In 1952, Glenn”heard the call of the wild” and went to Greenland to work as a cook for a construction company that was building NORAD bases. Returning to Strum the following year, Glenn's business ventures continued. He owned and operated Glenn's 66 Automobile and Service Station from 1955 to 1972. After a serious illness of Guillian-Barre syndrome, Glenn went to the U of W Eau Claire for a year and then started The Haukeness Agency insurance, tax, and real estate businesses. He continued in the tax business “until the day he died”. Earlier this year, he celebrated with a “I Will Never Retire” party. He has become friend and confidant to hundreds if not thousands of grateful clients. Not only was his career life fulfilling and rewarding, but his personal life was a testament to his tireless giving and service to others. He was a self made man whose strong work ethic and desire to be successful in life was not about himself. It was more about his genuine concern, compassion, and love for others, family, friends, and community members. His pride and joy in life was not about his accomplishments, but his family, especially his grandkids and great-grandchildren. He lived his life with grace and an unbelievably strong positive attitude. His response to “How are you, Glenn?” was always without hesitation, “Terrific!!” He was a man of strong faith and a very active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum holding offices and board seats for many years. He was an invaluable member of the Eleva-Strum Lion's Club, serving up Glenn's famous chicken and dumplings raising money for many community causes. He served as the Mayor of Strum for ten years and on the Village Board for many years implementing and improving many programs to benefit especially the youth of Strum. Glenn is survived by one son, Timothy (Judy Erickson) Haukeness of Strum; daughter in-law, Mary (Mike) Mack of Fall Creek; brother, Donald (Judy) Haukeness of Strum; grandsons, Lucas Haukeness of Madison and Lauren Haukeness of Strum; granddaughter, Kristen (Travis) Christopherson of Eau Claire; great-grandchildren, Ethan, Macie and Emily Christopherson; many nieces and nephews and his cat, Moses. He was preceded in death by two sons, Glenn Jr. and Steven; brother, John Haukeness; sister, Genevieve Gallagan and a daughter-in-law, Rose Haukeness. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 13, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Strum, with Rev. K. D. Taylor officiating. Burial will be in West Beef River Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, October 12, 2013 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Strum and one hour prior to services at the church on Sunday. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Glenn S. Haukeness, please visit our flower store.