Annette K. Hefling, age 77, of Tomahawk, was surrounded by her family when she passed away, on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Annette was born on April 13, 1946 in Rochester, Minn.
After high school, Annette studied nursing and became an LPN. At age 21, she met Patrick Hefling, the love of her life. They married on Nov. 2, 1968. They had four children together.
As a graduate from the New York School of Design, Annette started her own Interior Decorating business, Distinctive Designs. A listening ear, a loving embrace, and a sincere desire to help others made Annette the wonderful woman we all knew and loved. Life on the lake was a dream come true, and she cherished family gatherings at home. Annette’s “must-have item” was her pontoon, The Lucky Lady, on which she hosted many “cocktail cruises.” She also spent countless hours in her flower garden and simply enjoyed being outdoors.
Travel adventures to Colorado for ski trips and to Ireland were high-lights for Annette. Eventually, she and Pat lived part-time in Arizona making many great friends. Annette was generous, especially with her children, helping them move, decorate, landscape, paint, clean, cook, watch kids and give money when there were hard times. Her family meant the world to her and she will be greatly missed by all.
Survivors include her loving husband, Patrick Hefling; her children, Stephen (Lisa) Hefling, Nicholas (Susan) Hefling, Andrea (Matt) Hornick, and Ryan (Lonna) Hefling; her brothers, Mark, Terrance, Leslie, and James Stier; and her sisters, Connie Mignone, Pamela Stacy, and Patricia Stier. She is further survived by her nine grandchildren whom she cherished. She was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Vernice; and her brother, Stephen Stier.
Memorial services for Annette Hefling will be held on Friday, June 30, 2023, at Generations Funeral Home, Tomahawk, at 2 p.m. Rev. Larry Mathein will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 12 p.m. until the time of services at 2 p.m.
Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).