Mrs. Violet "Vi" Halbach

Violet, “Vi,” L. (Hoffman) Halbach, age 81 of Waterford, WI took the Lord’s Hand and went to heaven on January 18th, 2011. She died at home surrounded by loved ones. Vi was born in Racine, WI, the daughter of Albert and Mary (Miller) Hoffman. A graduate of Waterford High School in 1947, she met and married her husband, Harold (Harry) Halbach. Vi and Harry spent 62 years side by side, sharing a love and devotion to each other and making a living raising and selling purebred poultry all over the world. Halbach Poultry Farm was made famous throughout the world by the couple’s dedication to raising, exhibiting, and promoting purebred poultry. Travelling around the world and meeting poultry fanciers was paramount to Vi’s life. She was the only woman to hold the office of American Poultry Association President from 1994 to 1998. Vi was the Business Administrator of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and then St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. She was instrumental in securing funds and building the, “New,” St. Thomas Aquinas Church. A favorite pass time for Vi was travelling to Las Vegas and hitting the Jackpot multiple times per year. In 2008 the Racine County Board awarded her with the Women’s Public Service Award. She is survived by and will be sadly missed by her loving husband, Harold; Children, Jeffrey and (Anke) of Waterford, WI, Christine and (Scott) Zimmerman-Walsh of Beloit, WI, Patrick and (Kathy) of Hartland, WI, and Laura Halbach also of Waterford, WI. Grandchildren include Lindsay, Elizabeth, Bill Halbach, and Emily (Jacob) Niemyjski of Waterford, WI, Aaron and Lauren Walsh of Madison, WI, and Alexandra Halbach of Madison, WI. Violet was also very happy and proud of great-grandson Briar Harold Niemyjski of Waterford, WI. Sister, Beverly Lawrence of Racine, WI, other relatives, and many friends. Violet is preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Mary Hoffman, brothers Albert and Richard, sisters Marilyn Sweet and Leone Peterson, and grandson Michael Walsh. Funeral services will be held 12:00 Noon following the visitation on Saturday January 22nd at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church 305 S. 1st St, Waterford, WI with Father Gene Doda and Father Richard Ross officiating. Visitation will be held in the church on January 22nd from 9am-12pm. Memorials are suggested by the family to St. Thomas Building Fund. All are welcome to join the family for a luncheon and fellowship following the service at St. Thomas Aquinas Hall. Mealy Funeral Home Waterford, Wisconsin 262-534-2233 www.mealyfuneralhome.com