Republic- Alice E. Hakala, age 97 longtime Republic resident passed away Thursday, September 29, 2016 at Manor Care West in Green Bay, Wisconsin where she had resided for the past 3 years. Alice was born September 10, 1919 in Republic to Axel & Lempi (Johnson) Carlson. She was a graduate of Republic High School, class of 1938. Alice served her country in the US Navy during World War II; she was stationed in Cleveland, OH and the Bronx, NY. Alice was a homemaker; she and her late husband George were known as Santa & Ms. Claus in the Republic area. Alice was a member of Bethany Lutheran of Republic. She was a former member of the Republic VFW & American Legion Auxiliaries, the Republic Golden Age Club. And the Red Hat Ladies Club. Alice enjoyed knitting, crocheting, making porcelain dolls, playing bingo and spending time with her family and friends. Alice is survived by 2 daughters: Joy (Melvin) Perna of Sheboygan, WI, and Jill (Daniel) McInnis of DePere, WI, a sister Bernice (Elmer) Pirto of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren, Nadine Meacham (Chris Garrity) Brad (Grace) Borlee, great grandchildren: Maddy & Jack Borlee, along with many special friends, who meant the world to her, Maria, Enrique and Castiel and several nieces and nephews. Alice was preceded in death by her parents Axel & Lempi Carlson, her husband George, a brother Donald (Kay) Carlson and a sister Hazel (Clarence) Swanson. Funeral services for Alice will be held at 1:30 pm on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Republic with Rev. Kevin Kaiser & Rev. D. Michael Carrriere officiating. Interment will take place in the Republic Twp Cemetery. Alice's family will greet relatives and friends at the Bethany Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 12:30 pm until the time of service at 1:30 pm. A luncheon will be held in the church fellowship hall. Alice's obituary may be viewed at bjorkandzhulkie.com. You can shed tears that Alice is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she's left. Your heart can be empty because you can't see her or you can be full of the love you shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. You can remember her and only that she's gone or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

The funeral service recording, when it becomes available, can be found here .