When Vicki Haffele decides she's going to do something - it almost always gets done. Being afraid of heights couldn't stop her from a helicopter ride a couple of years ago and now she's added dreams of riding in a hot air balloon and even sky diving.
No one around her has any doubt she'll make them happen.
"Life is worth living," Haffele said.
She's taken that attitude while working in the food service industry her entire life, enjoying her customers and coworkers, and continues to keep a positive attitude while leading the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 2312 in Monroe.
Haffele was born in Monroe and said her father insisted on naming her Vicki - not Victoria - a story that makes her smile. She grew up in town alongside seven other siblings and says the family didn't have much. When they finally bought a television, Haffele says she recalls watching the black and white screen on weekends to take in the Lawrence Welk show.
"We didn't get what we wanted," she said. "We made our own toys and our own fun. We would make snow forts with the entire neighborhood."
She said there were too many children to vacation, and instead they would gather for family picnics, often at a local park, and attend events on Monroe's Square.
By the time she turned 15, Haffele was working, despite not having a required permit. Her sister got her a job at The Waffle Shop, owned by Cliff and Dorothy Reasa at that time.
"They put me in the back where I did dishes and cooked with Dorothy," she said. "I learned a lot there."
She made 90 cents an hour, and stayed about a year. It was a memorable time, she said, where she learned lifelong cooking lessons. She then worked at the Chocolate Shop, owned by George Wells, as a waitress and cook for almost three years.
At Monroe High School, Haffele said she hoped to play football but wasn't allowed. She had a passion for sports, and for every holiday she would ask for a glove, bat or ball of any kind.
"I was the biggest tomboy you ever saw," she said. "When I was playing sports, I was in my glory."
Graduating from high school in 1968 was an accomplishment; she was one of two people in her family to finish. Her mother made her graduation gown.
Haffele said a career in the food industry left her working a few jobs at once while raising her two children. While living in Madison, she worked at Marc's Big Boy. The chain restaurant with 42 locations held a contest that Haffele won, earning her a trip for two to Hawaii. She said it's likely the positive attitude she portrayed in so many interviews that got her there.
"I just always believe in saying hello to people and being friendly," she said.
Haffele and her husband, Bill, were a young couple in high school, but when he went to Vietnam, they married other people. Despite that, they never lost touch and reconnected years later in Monroe. They'll be married 27 years this December.
"He's always been my best friend," Haffele said.
Haffele got involved with the auxiliary through Bill but also felt a connection through her father, uncles and brothers, who also served in the armed forces. She never actually joined the organization, and instead, jumped in to help.
The VFW Post lost its home and had to stop holding its annual scholarship breakfast. Haffele suggested a bake sale, something that's been successful for the group. She's helped keep the group active, and now that Bill has recently been named the VFW Post 2312 Commander, Haffele says they work as a team to keep the organizations flourishing. She's been the auxiliary president for four years.
Last year, the group gave three scholarships to active veteran families, and Haffele found it important to make grandchildren eligible. They donate to local, needy children. When they can't find an individual family to give to, they reach out to organizations like local food pantries, a place veterans frequent.
Haffele took on a massive project this year where she challenged other auxiliaries to help collect items to donate to a Veterans Outreach Program based in Racine.
"The thank-you letters bring tears to your eyes," Haffele said. "All of their closets were replaced with nicer clothing. I thought maybe I'd get everybody's junk, but people were so generous. It was a huge project but I was very proud to do it."
Eight years ago, the auxiliary bought Haffele's lifetime membership, a gift after doing so much. She's helped for 16 years.
Haffele has continued the tradition of family gatherings and has even taken things to a new level. Family and friends are often found at her home throughout the summer, where they drape a tarp over the hillside and cover it with baby shampoo and water to make hours of fun. She loves the summer gatherings and being surrounded with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"We didn't have many toys when I was little," she said. "It's absolutely fabulous."
And in the corner of her yard is a place that represents the military and their connections to those who served. It's been made complete this year with an Army statue the children surprised the couple with, and has a special place.
The couple enjoy traveling, often for veteran activities and meetings. Although she's now retired, Haffele hasn't ever really stopped working. She helps at the South Wayne Mart and worked at the Swiss Colony embroidery department for a while.
In her free time, Haffele enjoys shooting pool, quilting and sewing.
"I never use a pattern," she said. "I just go by what pops into my head."
She also loves to spend time working in her yard, gardening, canning and her biggest passion - baking. She's widely known in her circle as a wonderful cook and loves to have her family alongside her in the kitchen.
She's made several quilts for veteran reunions and in 2000, her quilt was auctioned off for $1,000. She later received notice that it now hangs in the Gold Star Mother's Office in Washington, D.C. It's been a special recognition for her. She hopes one day to make an official Quilt of Valor.
"Life is what you make of it," she said. "I'm just the one that wants to get everything I can out of life while I'm still on this earth."
No one around her has any doubt she'll make them happen.
"Life is worth living," Haffele said.
She's taken that attitude while working in the food service industry her entire life, enjoying her customers and coworkers, and continues to keep a positive attitude while leading the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary 2312 in Monroe.
Haffele was born in Monroe and said her father insisted on naming her Vicki - not Victoria - a story that makes her smile. She grew up in town alongside seven other siblings and says the family didn't have much. When they finally bought a television, Haffele says she recalls watching the black and white screen on weekends to take in the Lawrence Welk show.
"We didn't get what we wanted," she said. "We made our own toys and our own fun. We would make snow forts with the entire neighborhood."
She said there were too many children to vacation, and instead they would gather for family picnics, often at a local park, and attend events on Monroe's Square.
By the time she turned 15, Haffele was working, despite not having a required permit. Her sister got her a job at The Waffle Shop, owned by Cliff and Dorothy Reasa at that time.
"They put me in the back where I did dishes and cooked with Dorothy," she said. "I learned a lot there."
She made 90 cents an hour, and stayed about a year. It was a memorable time, she said, where she learned lifelong cooking lessons. She then worked at the Chocolate Shop, owned by George Wells, as a waitress and cook for almost three years.
At Monroe High School, Haffele said she hoped to play football but wasn't allowed. She had a passion for sports, and for every holiday she would ask for a glove, bat or ball of any kind.
"I was the biggest tomboy you ever saw," she said. "When I was playing sports, I was in my glory."
Graduating from high school in 1968 was an accomplishment; she was one of two people in her family to finish. Her mother made her graduation gown.
Haffele said a career in the food industry left her working a few jobs at once while raising her two children. While living in Madison, she worked at Marc's Big Boy. The chain restaurant with 42 locations held a contest that Haffele won, earning her a trip for two to Hawaii. She said it's likely the positive attitude she portrayed in so many interviews that got her there.
"I just always believe in saying hello to people and being friendly," she said.
Haffele and her husband, Bill, were a young couple in high school, but when he went to Vietnam, they married other people. Despite that, they never lost touch and reconnected years later in Monroe. They'll be married 27 years this December.
"He's always been my best friend," Haffele said.
Haffele got involved with the auxiliary through Bill but also felt a connection through her father, uncles and brothers, who also served in the armed forces. She never actually joined the organization, and instead, jumped in to help.
The VFW Post lost its home and had to stop holding its annual scholarship breakfast. Haffele suggested a bake sale, something that's been successful for the group. She's helped keep the group active, and now that Bill has recently been named the VFW Post 2312 Commander, Haffele says they work as a team to keep the organizations flourishing. She's been the auxiliary president for four years.
Last year, the group gave three scholarships to active veteran families, and Haffele found it important to make grandchildren eligible. They donate to local, needy children. When they can't find an individual family to give to, they reach out to organizations like local food pantries, a place veterans frequent.
Haffele took on a massive project this year where she challenged other auxiliaries to help collect items to donate to a Veterans Outreach Program based in Racine.
"The thank-you letters bring tears to your eyes," Haffele said. "All of their closets were replaced with nicer clothing. I thought maybe I'd get everybody's junk, but people were so generous. It was a huge project but I was very proud to do it."
Eight years ago, the auxiliary bought Haffele's lifetime membership, a gift after doing so much. She's helped for 16 years.
Haffele has continued the tradition of family gatherings and has even taken things to a new level. Family and friends are often found at her home throughout the summer, where they drape a tarp over the hillside and cover it with baby shampoo and water to make hours of fun. She loves the summer gatherings and being surrounded with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"We didn't have many toys when I was little," she said. "It's absolutely fabulous."
And in the corner of her yard is a place that represents the military and their connections to those who served. It's been made complete this year with an Army statue the children surprised the couple with, and has a special place.
The couple enjoy traveling, often for veteran activities and meetings. Although she's now retired, Haffele hasn't ever really stopped working. She helps at the South Wayne Mart and worked at the Swiss Colony embroidery department for a while.
In her free time, Haffele enjoys shooting pool, quilting and sewing.
"I never use a pattern," she said. "I just go by what pops into my head."
She also loves to spend time working in her yard, gardening, canning and her biggest passion - baking. She's widely known in her circle as a wonderful cook and loves to have her family alongside her in the kitchen.
She's made several quilts for veteran reunions and in 2000, her quilt was auctioned off for $1,000. She later received notice that it now hangs in the Gold Star Mother's Office in Washington, D.C. It's been a special recognition for her. She hopes one day to make an official Quilt of Valor.
"Life is what you make of it," she said. "I'm just the one that wants to get everything I can out of life while I'm still on this earth."