Bernice M (Micke) Haen

Bernice Haen,  Kaukauna, age 99  passed away peacefully at St. Paul Villa, on February 20, 2024. She was born to Joseph and Cecilia Micke (Heiting) on March 25, 1924,  the oldest of 5 children. She grew up in Hollandtown and attended St. Francis School.

Bernice married Eugene Haen on August 9, 1945, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Hollandtown.  They went on to enjoy almost 62 years of marriage. Gene preceded her in death in 2007.

Bernice was an active member of St. Francis Parish for many years, and was a member of the Altar Society.  She also was a charter member of the Kaukauna Hospital Auxiliary, now known as Kaukauna Community Health Care Associates. She participated in KCHCA from the time it began (1954) until the hospital closed, but she stayed active by working at the St. Paul Elder Services Gift Shop for many years. Bernice served as secretary-treasurer for Hillcrest Farms for 18 years, and enjoyed hosting dinners and get-togethers for employees and business associates, especially the years Gene was with Badger Northland. She was a 4-H leader and taught cooking & sewing to many children. Her hobbies included sewing many of her own children’s clothes, bowling in several leagues, and gardening. She especially loved working in her flower beds. Bernice was fortunate to travel to many countries and most of the 50 states. She frequently commented that she had seen plenty of the world and was content to “stay home” in her later years. Being a Packer season ticket holder, she always accompanied Dad to the games, including Super Bowl II. Bernice has always enjoyed different card games and board games. In the more recent years, Scrabble became her favorite, which she often enjoyed with her sister Marie and nieces Sharon and Kay Auden.

Bernice is survived by her children: Carolyn (Bernard) Zey of Green Bay, Gary Haen of Apache Junction, AZ, Don Haen of Kaukauna,  Betsy (Greg) Meller of De Pere, and daughter-in-law, Doris Haen of Little Chute;  six grandchildren, Patricia (Paul) Traegde of Perth, Australia, Mark (Andrea) Haen of Apache Junction, AZ, Jeff (Melissa) Zey of Farmington, MN, Tina (Terrance) Zey of Green Bay, Paul (Hannah) Zey of Alpharetta, GA, and Cecely Meller of Minneapolis MN; eight great grandchildren, Mya  and Joshua Haen, Ryan Traegde, Kingston Allen, Norah and Eli Zey, Madelyn and Porter Zey. She is further survived by her sister Marie (Homer) Meehl, and sisters-in-law, Sister Ann Joachim and Carol Haen, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Additionally, she has several cousins who survive her, and the family would like to thank Bernard Micke for his frequent visits and loving attention he has given Bernice.

Besides Gene, she was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Cecilia Micke; parents-in-law Henry and Gertrude Haen; one brother Norbert (Mary Ann) Micke; two sisters, Jean (Les) Auden and Sister Mary Agatha; and Gene’s siblings, Raymond Haen, Sister St. Barbara, Jerome (Mertie) Haen, Marcella (Earl) Fink, Ken (Joan) Haen and Ivo Haen.

The funeral liturgy for Bernice will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St Francis Catholic Church, 433 County Rd CE, Kaukauna.  A time of visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at church.  Bernice will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Francis Cemetery.  For online condolences please visit www.verkuilenfh.com. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Paul Elder Services or the Kaukauna Catholic Parishes, would be appreciated.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Paul Elder Services for the excellent care given to Mom these last 9 years, and to Dr. Greg Johnson for his unending kindness and understanding as he provided medical care and attention to Mom for many years.

We give thanks to God for blessing us with you, Mom, for so many years. You will be with us forever in our hearts.

This poem speaks Bernice’s thoughts to all her loved ones,

If I  should ever leave you

whom I love

To go along the Silent Way,

Grieve not,

Nor speak of me with tears,

 but laugh and talk

Of me as if I were

 beside you there.

(I’d come- I’d come,

 could I but find a way!

But would not tears and grief

 be barriers?)

And when you hear a song

or see a bird or flower

I loved, please do not let

 the thought of me

Be sad… For I am

 loving you just as

I always have…

You were so good to me!

There are so many things

 I wanted still

To do-so many things

to say to you …

Remember that I

did not fear… It was

Just leaving you

that was so hard to face…

We cannot see Beyond …

But this I know:

I loved you so – ‘twas heaven

here with you!