KUNKEL, Haley M., age 32

Died: Saturday, December 9th, 2017

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, her family and friends request memorials be given to the Lone Star Dog Ranch in her memory.
https://dogranchrescue.com/make-a-donation/

Haley M. Kunkel, age 32, of Eau Claire passed away peacefully in her hospital bed on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Rochester, MN. She was surrounded by her husband, Chase, her best friends, and parents, who she loved dearly.

Haley was born on January 18, 1985 to her loving parents, Dale and Sue, in in Marshfield, WI where she grew up and graduated from High School. Haley was an avid piano player in her youth. She briefly attended UW-Eau Claire before transferring to Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. Haley worked as a computer programmer at Menard's headquarters in Eau Claire.

Haley and her husband, Chase, lived what feels like multiple lifetimes during their years together. They traveled to multiple countries, visited upwards of a hundred breweries and wineries, went to so many concerts it would be impossible to name them all, cuddled on the couch binge watching their favorite tv shows, tailgated at many Brewers games, among so many other amazing experiences.

Chase loved Haley with all his heart. She meant everything to him, was his best friend, and he enjoyed every moment they shared together. He feels so incredibly lucky to have spent the last 11 years knowing her, and the last four and a half having her as his beautiful, loving wife. Haley made him a better person in so many ways that he can't count, and he'll never forget that. 

Haley had the best friends in the world, many of which were at Haley's side until the end. There's no way that Haley and Chase could have gotten through the night without their support, and are forever grateful. Haley's friends meant everything to her, and if you knew Haley, you know she'd do anything to make her friends happy. That's just who she was.

Haley also loved her little pupper, Pinot (otherwise known as Poosty, Pooper, Pupperton, The Poost, Paño... she has a lot of nick names.) Taking Pinot on special walks around town was one of Haley's favorite things to do. Pinot was glued to Haley's lap, never leaving her side. There's no doubt that Pinot has been confused lately with Haley's absence. Luckily, Pinot was able to visit Haley multiple times in the hospital. The look on Haley's face when she was surprised with a Pinot visit could only be described as pure joy. She had the perfect little family which she loved more than anything.

Some of Haley's other favorite things were her monthly dinner club "the Supper Club Club", her weekly ladies night WWT ("Wine Wednesday Thursday"), Sounds Like Summer concerts on Thursday nights, happy hour, patios and yard games, dance parties, and game nights. She was also extremely proud of her yearly thanksgiving gathering tradition with friends called "Mini-T", which she's held the last 13 years. 

Haley was also a huge supporter of the French bulldog rescue Lone Star Dog Ranch. Her favorite Lone Star dog, Mooie, recently passed away, and there's no doubt Haley is up in Heaven wrestling with Mooie right now. 

Haley is survived by her loving husband, Chase; parents, Dale Redetzke and Susan Nolan; brother-in-law, Bryce Kunkel; father-in-law, Todd Kunkel; and mother-in-law, Jan Dusick; many other family members and dear friends. 

Haley was a trooper, and fought to the bitter end. She didn't want to leave us, and certainly was not ready to die. It'll take quite some time to fully process, but Haley would want us to be strong. The last thing Haley would want to do is make us sad, which is why she requested not to have a traditional funeral. Instead a Celebration of Life in the form of a giant pot luck and fundraiser will be held at a later date with all proceeds going to the Lone Star Dog Ranch. Please stay tuned for more details in the near future.