Staff
Our dedicated staff members are here to provide support, compassion, and information to help you through your journey of grief and the celebration of your loved one’s life.
Mike graduated from Watertown High School in 2003. He began working at Hafemeister Funeral Home while in High School doing various jobs. He then attended Madison Area Technical College in Watertown for two years, while serving his apprenticeship at Hafemeister Funeral Home. Mike transferred to Milwaukee Area Technical College where he received an Associates Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service, in 2006. Since 2006 he has been a licensed funeral director/embalmer at the Hafemeister Funeral Home which is owned and operated by his family.
On September 18, 2010 he married Jodi R. Sherry who was also born and raised in Watertown. He and Jodi have two daughters, Raelyn and Quinn.
In November of 2012, Mike earned his Wisconsin Life Insurance License. With this, the funeral home offers life insurance as a way to pre-fund future funeral expenses. In 2013 Mike became certified as a Crematory Operator.
Mike is a lifelong member of the Christ United Methodist Church, where he has served on numerous committees. He was formerly on the Board of Directors for the Watertown Main Street Program, and the Board of Directors of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce. He is a past President of the Watertown Chamber of Commerce. Mike was a founding member of YES! Watertown, which is a young professionals group organized to better the city of Watertown. Mike served on the Marquardt Foundation Board in Watertown for eight years. He is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and the Watertown Moose Lodge.In 2017 Mike was appointed by the Mayor of Watertown to The City of Watertown Ethics Board.
Mark, the youngest son of Rich and Ann, is a licensed funeral director and embalmer at Hafemeister Funeral Home.
After graduating from Watertown High School in 2006, Mark pursued his studies at Madison Area Technical College in Watertown for two years. Concurrently, he served his apprenticeship at Hafemeister Funeral Home. Subsequently, he transferred to Milwaukee Area Technical College, where he earned an Associate's Degree in Applied Science in Funeral Service in 2010. By 2013, Mark had also achieved certification as a Crematory Operator. In 2017, he acquired his Wisconsin Life Insurance License, to assist the funeral home in offering life insurance as a method for clients to pre-fund their future funeral expenses.
On September 9, 2017, Mark wed Shannon Taylor. The couple is blessed with two daughters, Isla and Reily, and share their home with two Doberman Pinschers, Rocco and Gemma.
Professionally and personally, Mark is deeply ingrained in his community. He's an active member and sits on the board of Rotary. Raised in the Christ United Methodist Church, Mark is part of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. He's also affiliated with the Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, SMSM, local Moose Lodge, and OKDR. Beyond his professional commitments, Mark dedicates time to training in Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate-do. He's passionate about MMA, cherishes moments with family and friends, and unwinds with video games and chess. Mark's an avid Packers and the Badgers fan.
Nathan was born in Anaheim California in 1976, to James and Andrea Schultz. Nathan spent the majority of his life in Watertown, but did live in Alberta Canada for 3 years when his Father Jim received a calling to be a Pastor for the Edmonton Moravian Church. Nathan was confirmed at Ebenezer Moravian Church of Watertown in 1993.
Nathan is a 1995 Graduate of Watertown High school, and Graduated with a BA in Psychology from UW-Platteville in the year 2000. Nathan worked for Bethesda Lutheran Communities in Watertown for 13 years as a CNA, a Community Coordinator for the former Swifthaven Residential Care Apartment Complex in Watertown for two years, and spent three years working as a Psychiatric Technician at Rogers Hospital of Oconomowoc.
Nathan joined Hafemeister Funeral Home in May of 2015 as a Funeral Home Apprentice, and has completed the Funeral Apprenticeship Program on May 4th, 2019.
Mira graduated Beaver Dam High School in January of 2021 and continued pursuing her education at Saint Louis Community College where she graduated with her associate's degree in funeral service in May of 2024. During college, she also obtained her crematory operators license.
Before college Mira worked on her family's farm and also participated in 4-H and FFA which helped her cultivate her work ethic and compassion for helping people. In college, Mira worked at a funeral home in St. Louis which helped pepare her for her future career as a licensed Funeral Director.
Jodi was born and raised in Watertown. She graduated from Watertown High School in 2006 and then went on to receive an associate’s degree in paralegal studies from Madison Area Technical College. In 2010, she married Mike Nienow. She and Mike have two daughters, Raelyn and Quinn. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
Rich was born and raised in Watertown. He had been employed at Mullen’s Dairy until he graduated from Watertown High School in 1975.
He attended college in Madison and Milwaukee and was involved in the emergency medical services in both cities.
In 1979 he was married to the former Ann Sweeney of Watertown. Rich wrote his state board exams in 1980 licensing him as a funeral director and embalmer in Wisconsin.
He was a member of the Watertown Fire Department Auxiliary as a certified firefighter II, engine pump operator and Emergency Medical Technician for over 30 years.
Rich has been a member and past president of the Watertown Lions Club since 1979. He was certified in eye tissue enucleating for corneal transplants with the Wisconsin Eye Bank.
Other memberships include the Watertown Moose Lodge #830, Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association and National Funeral Directors Association. He completed over 18 years as a board member and chairman of the Watertown Chapter of the American Red Cross and is a lifelong member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Watertown where he has served on numerous boards and committees.
Rich retired in 2017 and enjoys spending time with his granddaughters.
Todd is a lifelong resident of Watertown. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1975. He then graduated from Madison Area Technical College with an associate degree in Fire Science. He joined the Watertown Fire Department in 1978 and retired 33 years later as a Firefighter/Paramedic.
Todd is a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church where he serves on the Worship Service Committee. He enjoys archery, golfing, and regular trips to Canada. He married the former Susan MacDonald on July 10, 2014. Sadly, Sue passed away on March 12, 2024. Todd enjoys spending time with their many grandchildren.
Jim Werner was born and raised in Schofield, WI. He received his BA degree from Northwestern College in Watertown, WI and his Master of Divinity Degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. He served as a Lutheran pastor for 40 years. He served in New Orleans and Abita Springs, LA for 6 years and for 34 years at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Watertown, WI. He officiated at over 350 funerals during his ministry. He has lived in Watertown for 43 years. He and his wife Stevie are the parents of two children and have five grandchildren. He retired in 2015 and has worked part-time for Hafemeister’s since 2016..
George recently moved to Watertown with his wife, Nan, to be close to family. He retired in 2018 from full time ministry after 43 years in various parishs in the Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church. He currently is a member of Trinity Lutheran. George previously worked three years in the funeral service in Indiana prior to moving to Watertown.
George likes being a funeral assisant very much like ministry in helping and supporting loved ones in time of loss. It also is a fufilling way to serve the community.
