Renate Hakert

Funeral services for Renate Hakert, 81-year-old longtime Buffalo resident who passed away quietly early Wednesday morning at the Johnson County Health Care Center in Buffalo surrounded by her family, will be held Tuesday, October 22 at 10:00 a.m. from the Harness Funeral Home Chapel in Buffalo with Pastor Anne Knighten officiating. A visitation will be held on Monday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery, with graveside services to follow the funeral. A reception will be held at the American Legion Hall in Buffalo. Donations in Renate’s memory may be made to the St. Francis Animal Shelter at 109 Flatiron Drive in Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Renate Annemarie Hakert passed away on Wednesday, October 16th, at the Johnson County Healthcare Center. She was born on September 15th, 1943, in Memel, Lithuania, to Ida Helena and George Petri, the youngest of four daughters. She grew up in Morfelden-Walldorf, Germany.

After graduating from high school, Renate began working as a waitress. She met the love of her life, James Hakert, a Wyoming native, while he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Air Force. In 1965, Renate and James were married in Germany. James later showed his deep love and commitment by adopting Renate’s children; her son Jurgen and her daughter Daniela, embracing them as his own.

In late 1965, Renate and James moved to Wyoming, where James joined his father to help on the family ranch. While adjusting to life as a rancher’s wife, Renate helped support the family in various roles such as a caregiver for children and as a nurse’s aide in a nursing home, as well as custom laundry and dog grooming services.

During this time, she gave birth to five more children: Ronald, Johnny, Tina, Thomas, and Bob. Later, James and Renate opened their hearts and home to Bill Morris, making him part of the family.

Renate had a wide range of interests and hobbies throughout her life, including CB and shortwave radio, tropical fish, dog breeding, and painting. One of her most cherished talents was painting beautiful scenes on old saw blades, which became treasured gifts for those she loved. She also created many crafts, including dolls and birdhouses, that are true works of art.

In her younger years she enjoyed fishing, spending time in the mountains, swimming in the lake, playing card games and working on the ranch. No matter what she was doing, it involved her family.

She will always be remembered for her passion for cooking and the wonderful recipes she shared with family and guests, who never left the table hungry. Above all, she will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great grandma who was supportive and considerate of all her family. Her love was unconditional, and she will always be missed, especially by her little dog, Gigi.

Renate is preceded in death by her father, George Petri; mother, Ida (Ruckis) Petri; sons, Ronald George Hakert and Johnny Hakert; daughters, Tina Hakert and Daniela Margit Ohlberg; and grandson, Brandon Morris. She is survived by her husband, James Hakert; four sons: Jurgen (Laureen) Hakert of Buffalo, WY; Thomas (Danelle) Hakert of Palisade, CO; Bob (Celeste) Hakert of Buffalo, WY; Bill (Stacy) Morris of Buffalo, WY; 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.