Gail R. Havey
Gail Rose (Birschbach) Havey
died suddenly and unexpectedly of cardiac arrest on May 12, 2020 at St. Mary’s
Hospital, Madison.
Gail was born January 31,
1961, the third child of Kenneth and Karen (Zamzow) Birschbach. Gail graduated from Oakfield High School in
1979. She worked for a number of
manufacturing companies, generally in purchasing or inventory control
positions.
Gail was united in marriage
to Michael Francis Havey on April 19, 1986 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in
Fond du Lac. Our marriage was 34
wonderful years, highlighted by the birth of our son Christopher and our
daughter Michelle, and Michelle’s children Atli and Elyse. No marriage is perfect, but I think ours was
pretty darn close.
Gail enjoyed many hobbies
throughout her life. Whether it was
photography, scrapbooking, various crafts, fishing, or gardening, it was always
“all out”. That’s how she lived her
life. Maybe that’s why her candle burned
out so quickly.
Gail was an inspiration and
motivation to everyone, and a great organizer.
She was always the first one to say yes if anyone needed help. Her time and talent was theirs, no matter
what.
Gail was the one who taught
me the things that I didn’t know were important. She was the reason I got up every
morning. Everything that I ever did, and
the man that I became was for her and because of her. There is no me without we, no Mike without
Gail.
You were the love of my
life. You were my partner, my fishing
buddy. I didn’t marry my best friend,
but I ended up being married to my best friend.
There is not a single person that I would rather spend a single minute
of any day with than you.
My heart is broken; my
sadness profound. The hardest thing for
me to accept is that I will never hear your voice again, never see you
again. You were the glue that held me
together. I am in pieces now.
Gail is survived by our
children, Christopher (Heather) Havey and Michelle (Joachim) Hanson. She was so delighted to be a GiGi to Atli and
Elyse. She is further survived by her
loving siblings: Clifford, Gloria (Ken)
Kissinger, Grace (Rick) Glaunert, Ginger (Mark) Hintz, and Gwyn (Travis)
Leu. Also by Mike’s family: his mother, Mary, and siblings Margaret (Jim)
Potratz, Thomas, Laura (Joe) Wagner, Dan (Jeannie) Havey, and Joe (Joan)
Havey. Gail was also blessed with a
great number of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends who
meant so much to her, especially her BFF Trish.
Gail was preceded in death by
her parents, Kenneth and Karen, and her father-in-law, James.
On behalf of Gail’s family, I
would like to thank all of our family and friends for their kindness and
support during this terrible time. We
all grieve the loss of a wonderful person.
I would also like to thank all of the nursing staff at St. Mary’s
Hospital, 5 East, for their kindness, compassion, and patience with both Gail
and I during her time there.
There will be no funeral at
this time. We will have a memorial
service and celebration of Gail’s life at a later date. Online condolences can be directed to
kurkifuneralchapel.com. We ask that, in
lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital.
I know that you are resting
in God’s loving arms. I will cherish
every memory, knowing that someday we will be together again.
Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family 920-921-4420.