Patricia Hauber

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 3:10 pm

Patricia Hauber, 78, of Ridgeway, passed away Friday June 14, 2019, at 12:45 a.m., at Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn., after a long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family. Mass of Christian Burial was at 11 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton, with Rev. Donald Hawes and Msgr. Ed. Lechtenberg presiding. Burial was in the St. Bridget’s Cemetery. Visitation was Tuesday, June 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Schluter Balik Funeral Home in Decorah and after 10 a.m. at the church Wednesday. Lector was John O”Shea. Mass servers were Matthew Donovan and Jordan Baulmer. Organist was Mary Beth Bouska. Cantor was Don DiLaura. Hymns were “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” “Amazing Grace,” “In the Garden,” “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman,” “How Great thou Art” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling.” Offertory gift bearers were Kim, Kate and Jasmine Hauber. Eucharistic ministers were Connie Hauber and Helen Kappes. Poems were read By Bob O’Shea, Kandise and Kimberly Hauber. Casket bearers were Josh Hauber, Alex Hauber, Kayleigh Mae Hauber, Kandise Hauber, Devin Hauber, Brianna Hauber, Dylan Hauber and Derek Hauber. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home.

Patricia Mary O’Shea was born to Patrick and Marie (O’Brien) O’Shea Feb. 25, 1941, in Cresco. Pat attended rural grade school in Bluffton until transferring to St. Benedicts Catholic School for grades sixth through eighth. She graduated from Decorah High School in 1958. Pat married Vincent Hauber at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Bluffton July 6, 1959. This year would have been Pat and Vince’s 60th wedding anniversary. To this union seven children were born: Daniel, Deb, Kevin, James, Steven, Ronald and Susan. Pat and Vince made their home and raised their family on the Hauber Family Farm near Ridgeway. Pat farmed alongside her husband and later began working at Aase Haugen Homes in Decorah, where she became a dietary supervisor until her retirement in 2011. It is here where co-workers became lifelong friends. Pat and Vince would often times start their day with a quick cup of coffee and conversation.

Pat loved to bake, garden, play cards (at which she was a fierce competitor), listen to Irish music and spend time with family and friends. For many years, Pat was a member of the Monday afternoon bowling leagues. She especially loved throughout the years attending the local county fairs where she watched her children participate in showing their 4-H projects. She was able to experience the fair excitement all over again through her grandchildren. She was a parish member of St. Wenceslaus and later St. Bridget’s and a member of The Catholic Daughters of America. Pat’s belief in the power of prayer is a testament to her strong Catholic faith. She was very proud of her Irish heritage and was an encyclopedia of knowledge regarding her ancestry and community. Pat’s family members are grateful for the stories of family history that she has gifted them. One of Pat’s favorite times of the year was Christmas because that meant she would have all of her family together under one roof. She loved getting ready for the holidays and often times would be up at dawn to make sure everything was just right for the celebration. She was caring, kind and had a heart of gold. Pat’s infectious laugh and her Irish spirit can be seen in her children and grandchildren. She especially loved her many chats with her grandkids and had a special bond with each and every one of them. Pat’s eyes would light up when they would enter in the room with a “Hey GMA, what’s up.” We are blessed to have had this wonderful woman in our lives and while we will miss her each and every day; we know that she will be looking down from heaven guiding and protecting us all.

Pat is survived by her husband, Vincent, and children Daniel Hauber of Ridgeway; Deb Hauber (Al Maurer) of Harpers Ferry; Kevin and Jamie Hauber of Ridgeway; James Hauber of Ridgeway; Steven and Mindy Hauber of Ridgeway; and Susan Hauber of Roseville, Minn.; 11 grandchildren: Kayleigh, Kandise, Kimberly, Katlynn, Devin, Brianna, Dylan, Derek, Alex, Joshua and Jasmine; four step grandchildren Kyle(Sandy)Fisher, Killian(Terry) Fisher, Jordyn Johnston and Alexandria Johnston and six step great-grandchildren; one brother, John (Marilyn) O’Shea, of Cedar Rapids; sisters-in-law, Denise O’Shea of Decorah and Phyllis Hauber of Ridgeway; one brother-in-law, Joe Hauber of Decorah; and many niece and nephews.

Patricia is preceded in death by her infant son, Ronald; parents, Patrick and Marie O’Shea; father and mother-in-law, Leonard and Colletta (Tierney) Hauber; one brother, Michael O’Shea; one brother-in-law, Dwayne Hauber and one sister-in-law, Hattie Hauber; and several aunts and uncles.