Elizabeth "Betty" Hafemeister

BETTY HAFEMEISTER (02/24/1943- 04/26/26) We are saddened by the passing of Betty Hafemeister, well-loved and devoted wife, mother, grandma, educator, and friend. Betty passed away at home with loved ones near. She was an extraordinary person who lived life to the fullest, always caring, a lifelong learner, curious to investigate and master new skills. 

The youngest of five children of Henry Riek and Agatha (Brickl) Riek, Betty was born in Plain, Wisconsin and spent most of her childhood there. She graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in Racine and attended Dominican College to receive her teaching degree.

Drawn by the ideal to serve the Lord and others in supportive community life, she lived with the Racine Dominicans for a number of years before leaving to become a sixth-grade teacher at College Park School in Greendale the year it opened. It was there that she met the true love of her life, her fellow teacher Al Hafemeister. 

Betty and Al married and soon settled in Greendale, where they raised their two adopted sons, Eric and Mark. Grateful for the gift of her special boys, Betty left teaching to become a stay-at-home mom until they were both of school age. During this time, Betty was a feature writer and school board reporter for the Oak Creek-Franklin School District, receiving a 1st Place Award for excellence in reporting from the Wisconsin Association of School Boards. When she renewed her teaching career, Betty chose to serve in Catholic schools, starting at St. Charles Borromeo School in Milwaukee. 

Betty went from teaching to principalship, receiving her master’s degree from Marquette University. She served several years as principal of St. Sylvester School in South Milwaukee, then became Director of Religious Education at St. James Parish in Mukwonago, where she initiated the area’s first summertime Vacation Bible School. After several years, she also became principal of St. James School. Her love of children and of teaching were evident throughout her enjoyable career. 

During her principalship Betty volunteered at Alverno College, recruited by her very good friend and Alverno professor Siri Vosquil. Betty eventually became a PhD-level adjunct professor at Alverno for several years, enjoying teaching subjects related to elementary education, and mentoring younger educators. 

Ultimately, she resigned from Alverno to provide day care for Mark’s sons, Troy and Tony. The care of these darling grandsons spanned from infancy, to childhood field trips to JC Park and the zoo, to lessons in cooking, baking, and using the air fryer, to supporting Tony in football at Greendale High School and Troy in the marching band, which participated in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Al, Betty and their grandsons made lifelong memories together. Betty is forever grateful to her son Mark, who often provided help through his computer knowledge and his hands-on skills.

Betty and Al also took great delight in their precious twin granddaughters Teagan and Tori. Visits with the girls and their parents, Eric and Jodi, who live in Cincinnati, and the inbetween reports of their accomplishments, were always warmly anticipated and welcomed. The twins have a special bond with their cousins Troy and Tony, together nicknamed “the four T’s.” Betty had so much joy observing their good times together. She is very grateful for all the kind, helpful, and celebratory things Eric and Jodi did for her and for Al over the years. 

Betty was a natural learner, becoming an expert amateur photographer, with many breathtaking nature photos in her collection. Whatever interested her, she was willing to master and fully enjoy. Over the past few years, she became fascinated with the cosmos and researched planets, galaxies, and other phenomena of our universe. She had a truly beautiful intellect. 

Betty loved to travel. She and Al took tours of the British Isles, the Alpine countries of central Europe, as well as Italy. They traveled to about 45 of the 50 states. Betty especially loved the annual vacation with Al to Anna Maria Island, Florida, where they rented a condo right on the gulf. 

Betty truly enjoyed spending time with friends. She had a close friendship with Sue Holman, with whom she shared constant texts during countless UW and Packer football games, a source of fun for both. She shared photography adventures with Jean Caldwell. Her friend and next-door neighbor Chris Goede provided many amazing photos from her flower gardens and countless enjoyable times through the years. She also had a special friendship with Diana Lesnjak and Gloria Petraitis since they were principals at the same time. They got together regularly to share laughter, spiritual insights, and the many issues principals must solve. She appreciated the steadfast support of good friend Joann Nelson. She shared many life experiences with special friends Judy Van Horn and Kathy Madole, as well as other convent classmates. Her longest friendship was with Kay Price, friends since first grade at St. Luke’s in Plain. She will be greatly missed by these and many other good friends. 

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Roselyn, Francis (nicknamed Hank), and Donald. Other loved ones who went before her were special niece Deb Lyne and friends Siri and Kathy. 

Remaining to cherish her memory are her husband, Alan Hafemeister; her sons Eric (Jodi) Hafemeister and Mark Hafemeister (special friend Mariah Hockerman); grandchildren Troy, Tony, Teagan, and Tori Hafemeister. Betty is also survived by a sibling, Gene Riek, sister-inlaw Marianne Riek, nieces Sue Etter (Phil), Sandra Gill (Roger), Sharon Riek, Lana Decker, nephew Scott Rick (Norika Hiramatsu), and cousins. 

Betty wishes to thank Maria Laatsch, the mother of grandsons Troy and Tony, who provided so much caring help and support during the final times. The family also thanks Vitas Hospice for compassionate home care. 

A memorial gathering of friends and relatives is planned for Thursday, May 7, 2026 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church from 9:00-10:15 AM. Followed by a funeral Mass at10:30 AM at St. Alphonsus Church (6060 W. Loomis Rd. Greendale, WI). In lieu of flowers, Betty would be grateful for donations to St. Joseph Indian School, Chamberlain, SD 57326, which provides a top-notch education for Lakota children.