John Haasl

John Andrew Haasl, age 65, passed away peacefully at his home in Green Bay surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Born August 23, 1949 to the late Alfred and Mary (Sorenson) Haasl in Park Falls, Wisconsin, John grew up loving fishing and hunting, and earned the nickname “Musky John” for his expertise in fishing muskies, especially. He was the youngest of six children and the only son. John graduated from Lincoln High School in Park Falls in 1968. He went on to Culinary Arts school at Chippewa Valley Technical College and worked as a chef at Austin’s White House in Eau Claire, WI. There, John met his wife of 40 years, Debra Ann Kremer of Eau Claire, and they married on May 29, 1974. John returned home to Park Falls after his father’s passing, and owned and operated the family's Phillips 66 gas station in Park Falls for many years. He also owned and operated a restaurant in Phillips, WI called The Cricket supper club for a short period of time. He worked most often as a chef for various supper clubs throughout his life, and was known for his excellent culinary skills. He most recently worked as a butcher at Festival Foods in Green Bay. John will be known for his big laugh, kind heart, and the love he had for his family, especially his wife Debbie, six children and eleven grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Debra Ann, his children Melissa (Joe) Schmidt of Fond du Lac, Amy (Ray) Steinbach of Brantwood, Lisa (Brad) Stratton and Cal (Elizabeth) Haasl of Green Bay, Robert Haasl of Appleton, and Heidi (Kevin) Van Ornum of Edgar; eleven grandchildren: Samuel and Sophie Schmidt, Haley and Lana Haasl, Natalie and Brogan Stratton, Kennen, Emmitt, Ella, and Adelynn Van Ornum, and Norah Haasl.

He is survived by four sisters, Doria Mayer and Sylva Bush of Mosinee, Alice (Ray) Deckelman of Wausau, and Marylin (Francis) Jurgens from Ortonville, Minnesota, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. Preceding him in death besides his parents was his eldest sister Mavis Magrecke. He will be dearly missed by his close-knit family and dear friends.

Visitation at Destiny Church, 418 Destiny Dr., De Pere, Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund has been established.