John Martin Hauschildt, age 62, of River Falls, WI passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, December 31, 2017. He was born on September 30, 1955 in Faribault, MN to Duanne and Doris (Hanson) Hauschildt. He was a 1973 graduate of Ellsworth High School. John attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls from 1979 to 1983. He received a second undergraduate degree from Excelsior College in 2006. His Military education included the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy and the Battle Staff NCO course, at the U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officers Academy and many other service related schools.
John served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 1978. In 1980 he joined the Wisconsin National Guard in Company B, 1st Battalion, 128th Infantry. Over the next 16 years John moved through a series of leadership positions in the Battalion. He assumed the position of the State Command Sergeant Major of Wisconsin in July 2000. John received many awards throughout his long military career.
On October 7, 1995 he was united in marriage to the love of his life Mary Ellen Pace of River Falls, WI. They resided in River Falls after John’s retirement from the Wisconsin National Guard. . He became a Veteran’s Service Representative at the Veterans Administration in Minneapolis, MN after his military retirement until his passing on December 31st.
John had a never-ending devotion to the love of his life, Mary. His favorite pastimes were fishing, hunting, camping, watching the Packers, and spending time with his family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Duanne and Doris; wife, Mary on April 14, 2017; brother, Dani; brother-in-law, Andrew.
John is survived by his step-children, Phillip and Angela; step-grandchildren, Tyrrell, Aaron, Ellie, Megan, Sierra, Naomi; sisters, Diane, Kristin, Kathrine; brother, Duanne Jr. (Belinda); sisters-in-law, Linda (Jay), Debbie (Karl), Carol (Jerry); brother-in-law, Richard (Nancy); many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for John will be held 3:00 PM Saturday, January 13, 2018 at the National Guard Armory, 815 West Division Street, River Falls, WI with a visitation from 1:00-3:00 PM. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, River Falls, WI.
Services have been entrusted to O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home in River Falls, WI.