John William Haefke

John William Haefke, 78 years of age, of Alma, Kansas died December 15, 2012 at home. He was born September 5, 1934, in Alta Vista, KS, the son of George and Selma (Wolgast) Haefke. He moved to Alma when he was 9. John graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1952. He grew up working in the family lumber yard in Alma. John attended and graduated from Clark Business school in 1953. Following his education, John served his country in the U.S. Army as a company clerk for an intelligence unit, entering in 1955 and honorably discharged in 1958. On June 10th, 1956 he was married to Laura Raedeke in Alma, KS. To this union 4 children were born; Lesa, David, Diane, and Mark. John worked at Haefke Lumber Company until the late 80’s as the owner and operator. He was a member of the Alma Chamber of Commerce, and was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church. He worked at the Kansas Historical Society for 10 years, and then 4 years as a contracted worker after retirement. John enjoyed working in his yard, feeding birds, learning about trains and semi-trucks, watching sports and NASCAR events, and spending time with his grandchildren. John was later married to Norma Falk on August 29th, 1992 in Alma. She survives of the home. He is also survived by two daughters: Lesa (Haefke) Morby and her husband, Bill of Arroyo Grand, CA; Diane (Haefke) Haller and her husband, Darrell of Alma, KS with her children Carolyn Haller of Topeka; and Chris Haller of Alma; two sons: David Haefke and his wife, Annie of Randolph, and his children Airman First Class Grant Haefke of the U.S. Air Force, John J. Haefke of Randolph; Mark Haefke and his wife, Tina, of Holton; and children Brandon, Ryan, and Nathan Haefke of Holton. Norma’s family, Son Ronald Falk and his wife Dee of Topeka, and his children Chris Falk, wife Jennifer, and grandchildren Hannah and Taylor of Alma, Angela (Falk) Brown, husband Chris Brown, children Derek and Amanda, Livingston, TX; one daughter Stephanie and husband Robert of Topeka, and children Troy Abbott, Topeka; Heather Cruize of CA; and grandchildren Hunter of Topeka, and Kaylee of Lenexa; Son Mark and his wife Coleen and their children, Josh A. Falk and his wife Lindsey with grandchildren Hayden and Mason; Jared J. Falk and Crystal with grandson Owen, all of Alma. John was preceded in death by his parents, George and Selma Haefke; and one sister, Lois Marten. Funeral services for John Haefke will be at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alma on Wednesday, December 19th, 2012 at 11 a.m. Inurnment will be at Alma St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Wabaunsee County at a later date. John will lie in-state beginning at 11 a.m. Tuesday with family greeting friends during a visitation from 5-7 pm all at Stewart Funeral Home in Alma. A memorial to St. John Lutheran Church will be established in his memory and will be designated at a later time and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home of Alma, PO Box 126, 66401.