Minnie Mary Hafeman, age 93, of Chelsea, Michigan, formerly of Crystal Falls, died Friday March 28, 2003 at the University of Michgan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. Minnie was born in Balsam, Michigan, on January 27, 1910 to the late Urban and Louisa (Joly) Challoncin. She grew up in Balsam and attended the one room school house there. Minnie married Clarence Hafeman in 1934 and they resided in Milwaukee Wisconsin until 1949 when they purchased the family homestead in Balsam. Minnie transferred from her job at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Milwaukee to the VA hospital in Iron Mountain upon its opening in 1951. She commuted between Crystal Falls and Iron Mountain for more than 40 years, until her retirement in l992. She was dedicated to her work and during all that time she never missed a day of work due to bad weather conditions. Upon her retirement she was honored as the Veterans Administration's longest term employee, having completed 62 years of service. Her dedication to her work was recognized in the Congressional Record and she received letters from President Regan and members of Congress honoring her for her years of service to the U.S. Government. Minnie remained in Balsam until 1998 when she moved to the Lower Peninsula, near her daughter Sharon, in the Chelsea Retirement Community. There her caregivers fondly remember her, as her family and friends knew her, for her quiet manner spiced with a good sense of humor. Minnie was preceded in death by her siblings Ida Lindeman, Paul Challoncin, Frank Zanin, John Laurent and Ella Vassar. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Balius and son-in-law Louis Balius; nephews Fr. James Challoncin, Tony Lindeman, and Warren Lindeman; neices Charlotte Bloom and Dorothy Green; and sister-in-law Julia Laurent and many grand nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 2 from 9:30-11:00 AM at Guardian Angels Catholic Church in Crystal Falls with the Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 AM. Fr. James Challoncin will officiate. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls. Friends may leave condolences and memorial tributes on Minnie's obituary page at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com The Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home of Crystal Falls is serving the family.