Joseph Hardegger

Gillette, WY - Joe Hardegger, 85, Gillette, WY, formerly of Eureka, SD, died Tuesday, November 6th, 2007, at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home in Gillette. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, November 10th at St. Matthew?s Catholic Church in Gillette with Father Cliff Jacabson officiating. Cremation will follow with burial in the Eureka Cemetery at a later date. Josef (Joe) Adolf Hardegger was born on September 3, 1922 in Gossau, St. Gallen, Switzerland to Johann and Katherina (Scherrer) Hardegger. After graduating from the public schools in Gossau, he left home to earn his masters degree in cheese making. While working through his internship he also served in the Swiss Army during World War II. Joe left Switzerland in 1948 and settled near Toronto, Canada to work for a dairy. After three years he moved to Milwaukee, WI and in 1956, Joe became a U.S. citizen. He worked in and managed several Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa cheese plants. Joe married Anna (Ann) Rose Helfenberger on October 19, 1957 in Dixon, IL. They built their first home in Dubuque, IA. In May of 1961 they moved to Eureka, SD to establish Eureka Cheese Factory and helped farmers transition from the 10-gallon cream can to modern bulk milk coolers on the farms near Eureka and the surrounding area. Joe and Ann retired in 1985 after selling their business. In July of 2006 Joe and Ann moved to Gillette, WY to be closer to family and in September 2007 Joe moved to Pioneer Manor in Gillette. Joe was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Eureka and St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Gillette. He enjoyed hard work, discussing politics, visiting with dairy farmers, and traveling. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, one sister and two grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Ann of Gillette, WY, two sisters, Ida Leuenberger, Monroe, WI, Rosa (Josef) Meili of Steckborn, Switzerland, his children, Richard (Kate) Hardegger, Burnsville, MN, JoAnn (Darrin Swanson) Hardegger, Somerset, WI, Irene (Dan) Knoepfle, Gillette, WY, David (Corinne) Hardegger, Gillette, WY, six grandchildren and three step grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are entrusted with Stevenson Wilson funeral home.Memorials and condolences can be sent in Joe's name to Stevenson-Wilson Funeral Home 210 W. 5th St., Gillette WY 82716, or via the internet at www.stevensonwilson.com.