Benjamin Francis Hlavinka

Private Family Services at SOUTHERN WISCONSIN VETERANS MEMORIAL CEMETERY

Benjamin Francis Hlavinka, of Franklin, Wisconsin, left on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at the age of 90, for his walk about in the eternal great woods. Ben was married to his wife Emily (Maslik), for 57 years, after meeting at the Avalon Dance Hall in Benoit, Wisconsin.

Ben was born in Cicero, Illinois, to Benedict and Mildred, and moved with his family to Moquah, Wisconsin, when he was 12. He loved working on the family farm and practicing animal husbandry. He attended technical school and received a Certificate in Agronomy. While Ben lived in northern Wisconsin, he not only farmed, but drove a school bus, worked as a surveyor building roads, welded and cut pulp lumber. He took great joy in being outdoors. He was called to duty and served in the Korean War. He bought his first Saab in 1970 and had many more, in various colors, over the years. Ben enjoyed a good hockey game while eating his ice cream, just as much as he enjoyed his children’s artwork. He retired from the Ladish Company as a specialty welder. Ben always had a large organic vegetable garden and loved planting tomatoes. He was a fixer, builder, and maker. He had the special ability to repair just about anything and routinely helped others with his knowledge and skills. A life-long learner, story teller and historian: he loved to read and do crossword puzzles.

Ben is survived by his children Emily (Jeffrey Anderson), John, Unna, Aron (Stephanie Czarnecki), and Karl. He was the very proud Grampers of Emily and Bradley. Brother to the late Ruth (Hlavinka) Azzolina. He is survived by other family and friends.

Ben’s family would like to thank Dr. Margaret Holmes at the Milwaukee VA Center, the City of Franklin’s Paramedics, and the Franklin Ascension ER staff and Amanda.

Private family services for Ben will be held at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Union Grove.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ben’s name can be made to:

Trees for Tomorrow
519 East Sheridan Street, PO Box 609
Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521
https://www.treesfortomorrow.com/

or the

Wisconsin Future Farmers of America Foundation
1241 John Q. Hammons Dr, Ste 200
Madison, WI 53717
https://wisconsinaged.org/