Jeffrey Carl Hautala

WAUSAU, Wis. - Jeffrey Carl Hautala, 71, of Hurley, WI, passed away quietly on Aug. 11, 2022, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital.

A lifelong Hurley resident and graduate of Hurley High School class of 1969, he went on to a degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Before settling again in Hurley, Jeffrey toured in Europe with the Jacques Loussier Trio, a French jazz piano group, as a roadie and planner. He spent some time as a hired hand on the long boats of Lake Superior. Jeffrey loved music, always excited to share a new group he discovered or play a song for you. His taste was eclectic, ranging from Mojo Nixon to a Russian band playing Chicago covers. A favorite song of his was "Nature's Way" by Spirit.

In the '70s, Jeffrey teamed up with Mark Silver to form Thick and Thin wood stoves in Hurley. The idea being if they were retailers, they could buy their own stove wholesale. Sales seemed to be in Jeffrey's blood. At 14, as an eighth grader at St. Mary's School, Jeffrey started and operated The Midgette, a candy shop across from the high school on 4th Avenue in Hurley.

When Jeffrey's job as a sewage treatment operator in Hurley was eliminated, he decided to open a real estate office in Hurley. That meant pushing the wood stove business into the back of the shop and putting a desk up front. United Farm Real Estate opened in 1981. United Farm became Mark Silver and Associates and finally Silver Properties. Jeffrey also was a licensed appraiser. The real estate business was sold in 2021 after 40 years and now operates as Silver Properties, EXP.

Jeffrey loved family, dogs, and fine French wine. Uncle Jeffrey especially enjoyed getting together with his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephew, and was quite proud of each of them.

He is one of four sons of Carl and Viola Hautala of Hurley. He is survived by his brothers, Barry (Doris) of Plover, Guy (Kay) of Pittsville, and Jay (Kathy) of Oshkosh; as well as his many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

His smile when he spoke of them reflected a deep love and affection he carried for all children.

We will miss his wisdom and his dry wit - and that smile.

As a former board member of the Hurley Education Foundation, donations in his honor can be made to the Hurley Education Foundation, 5503 W. Rangeview Drive, Hurley, WI 54534.

As per Jeffrey's request, no funeral will be held.