Hans Jürgen Halfmann, 71, of Scandinavia, formerly of West Bend, died Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at Iola Living Assistance.

Hans was born in Harsewinkel, Germany, on July 22, 1939, the son of the late Walter and Margarete (nee Hildebrandt) Halfmann. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1958 to 1962. He married Mary Pfeifer on Nov. 6, 1965, in Whitefish Bay.

Above all, Hans was dedicated to his family, always ready to lend a helping hand or guidance, or play with a grandchild. He worked as a maintenance electrician for Silgan Containers Corp. for 36 years. He was active in the community throughout his life, volunteering with the Boy Scouts, Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, Fernandez Alternative Center and Juvenile Detention Center. Hans was also a gifted woodworker; designing and building his own home, hobby farm, cabinetry, furniture, toys, clocks, jewelry boxes and intricate carvings. He had a passion for travel. He and Mary explored 24 states during three and a half years living "full time" in their fifthwheel RV. He enjoyed the outdoors, spending much of his life gardening, farming, hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Halfmann of Scandinavia; children, John Halfmann of Woodbury, Minn., Robert (Heidi Ann) Halfmann of Holmen, David (Cindy) Halfmann of Peshtigo and Heidi Marie (Don Jr.) Hammond of Sheboygan; nine grandchildren, Jared, Mitchell, Benjamin, Emily, Lauren, Andrew, Christian, Brayden and Brooklyn; sister-in-law, Sandra Halfmann of Rochester, N.Y.; nephew, Walter (Maria) Halfmann; niece, Diadra (Nick) Brogcinski; great-nieces, Annabel and Christine; great-nephew, Victor and Toni Halfmann of Woodbury, Minn.

Preceded in death by brother, Dieter Halfmann; great-uncle, Herman Glodde; and great-aunts, Minnie Glodde, Maria Halfmann and Anna Niepenberg.

A memorial service will be held at the Scandinavia Lutheran Church in Scandinavia at noon on Wednesday, May 18, with the Rev. Mark E. Sabin officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the church. Luncheon will be served at the church following services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Hans may be made to the Hirshberg Foundation for pancreatic cancer research by phone, (310) 473-5121, or mailed to 2990 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Suite 300C, Los Angeles, CA 90064.

Voie Funeral Home in Iola is serving the family. Registry book and online condolences may be sent by visiting www.voiefuneralhome.com.