Florence Viola Hafner

May 9,1931 - March 9, 2026

Florence Viola Hafner, of Hemet, CA, passed away at the age of 94years &

10 months on March 9, 2026 at the home of her son Rodger & Susan Hecht in Tehachapi, CA.

She was born May 9, 1931 in New Wells, MO to

Charles Benjamin & Hilda Matilda (Richter) Wachter

Baptized: 1931 Immanuel Lutheran Church New Wells, MO

Confirmed: 1945 Immanuel Lutheran Church New Wells, MO

She and Norman Walter Hecht were married September 15, 1952 at

Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Wells, MO. They moved to California

and had three children. Norman preceded her in death 59 years ago on March 15, 1967. As a family they were members of the Concordia Lutheran Church in Azusa, CA.

She later married Vernon R. Kassel April 12, 1986 at the Hope Lutheran Church in Glendora, CA where Florence had been attending.

They were members of the First Lutheran Church in Monrovia, CA.

After they retired they moved to Hemet, CA , and were members of St John’s Lutheran

Church in Hemet. He Preceded her in death on December 31, 2007.

Two years later she married Charles Edward Hafner January of 2009 at a

Lutheran Church in Palm Springs CA. They were members of the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Hemet, CA.

He preceded her in death 11 months later on Dec 12, 2009.

She was preceded in death by her Parents Charles and Hilda Wachter; Four brothers, Roland Wachter, Arnold Wachter, Reinhold Wachter, Eugene Wachter, and most recently her only sister Pauline Nitsch.

Survivors include:

Two Sons: Rodger (Susan) Hecht, Rick (Ann) Hecht,

One Daughter: Peggy (Don) VanDerWende

Eight Grandchildren: Christopher (Christy) Hecht, Amy (Jim) Banks, Brent (Bobbye) Hecht, Alexis (Jay) Merrifield, Benjamin (Anne) Hecht, Nicholas (Rachel) Hecht, Wendy (Derek) Beyler, and Heidi VanDerWende;

and Eighteen Great Grandchildren. Two Step-sons, One Step-daughter, Five Step Grandchildren; and Numerous Step-Great Grandchildren.

Florence was active in the Lutheran church. She belonged to LWML for many years, and held various positions. She sang in the Choir, played the

handbells, belonged to the Quilting Group, assembled Braille books,

registered children for Vacation Bible School, helped in the kitchen, and

assisted in counting donations.

She enjoyed music, years ago she could play the Clarinet, and the

Accordion. She loved to sing in the choir, dance, cook, bake, and always

had flowers in her yard. She enjoyed doing embroidery. She loved to play

a competitive game of Skip-Bo, and also enjoyed Bingo. She tried to

always look her best, and always have a Positive Attitude. Her infamous

saying was: “Never underestimate the Power of a Woman!” It helped her

get through many of life’s trials.

She worked for AT&T Telephone Company for many years. She started

as an Information Operator, worked her way up to a Supervisor, and then

up to her goal as a Manager before she retired.

Graveside Service:

Wednesday April 22, 2026 at 11:00am

Oakdale Mortuary & Memorial Park

1401 S. Grand Ave

Glendora, CA 91740

Memorial Service

Thursday April 23, 2026 at 11:00am

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

701 N. Sanderson

Hemet, CA 92545

Pastor Luis Barretto Lugo officiating

Memorial contributions may be given to the Prince of Peace Lutheran

PreSchool & Kindergarten, Hemet, CA.