“Pudge,” as he was known to his family, was born January 9, 1929, in Wisconsin Rapids to George and Marie (nee: Dixon) Hahner. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947. He served in the U.S. Army, 11th Airborne, including an extended tour in the Korean War. On September 12, 1953, he was united in marriage to Naomi Worlund at the First English Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from UW Stevens Point in 1959 and a Master's degree from Colorado State College in 1964. He taught at Colby High School in Colby, WI, for five years and at Horlick High School in Racine for 22 years. George was a former president of the Racine Education Association, former vice president of the Wisconsin Education Association, and was a member of various REA, WEA and NEA committees. He was a Trustee on the State of Wisconsin Investment Board for 12 years and also was a member of the Council of Institutional Investors. George was a 35-year member of American Legion Winegar Post 480.
George enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was a member and past president of the Hay Creek Hunting Club. He bowled in the Schoolmasters league. He was an assistant football coach at Horlick High School. George was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church.
George took great pleasure in spending time with his family and friends at the home he built in Presque Isle, WI. He and Naomi enjoyed traveling after retirement. George never ended his quest for learning and tried to instill the same in his children, grandchildren, and the students he taught. He will be remembered by all for his wit and how during his lengthy battle with illness he never lost his sense of humor.
George is survived by his wife of 55 years, Naomi. He is further survived by his children: Mikael (Kate) of Florence, WI; Heidi (Mark) Komistra of Racine; Eric (Sue) of Racine; and Kristin of Sturtevant. Grandchildren include: Nikolas Hahner of Florence; Benjamin (Vada) Komistra of Minneapolis, MN; Peter and Jacob Komistra of Racine; Adam Hahner of West Allis; Erika (Brad) Holland of Milwaukee; and Ashley Hahner of Racine. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Smith of Green Lake, and sister-in-law Judy (Bernie) Conway of Scottsdale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his son, Evan Hahner; his parents, George and Marie; his step-mother, Isabelle Hahner; his brother, Thomas Hahner; brother in-law and sister in-law, Kenneth and Helen Worlund.
Funeral services will be held at Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 2000 W. Sixth St., on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Kathy Brown officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:30 a.m. until time of service. Memorials to Holy Communion Lutheran Church Food Pantry or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society are suggested. George’s family encourages anyone who is not a blood donor to consider becoming one and anyone who already is to make an appointment to donate today.
The family extends their gratitude to the wonderful and caring staff of 2D and the ICU at Wheaton Franciscan All Saints.
Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine 262-634-7888
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