Dwaine A. Habrat, 72

Dwaine A. Habrat, age 72, of Weston, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Friday, September 8, 2023 at his residence.

Dwaine was born on May 31, 1951, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Delores E. Habrat. Dwaine attended and graduated from Brown Deer High School and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from UW-Whitewater. He began his career in the food service industry before working as a salesman and then began a life of service by joining the Lion’s Club in 1977. He was made the executive secretary for the Lions in 1998.

Dwaine continued to serve the local community as a chaplain and director of pastoral care, first for St. Bronislava Parish for eight years, then in 2004 he began his ministry at Holy Spirit Parish for another eight years.

He married Susan Stringer on August 23, 1997 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

Dwaine married Susan after meeting her in 1995 on a Lions Mission to Mexico. He followed her home and married her on August 23, 1997. They just celebrated 27 years. They loved to travel, garden, watch baseball/football and be with family.

They lived in Stevens Point while Dwaine served as Lions State Executive Secretary starting in 1998. After this service, he dedicated his life to full-time ministry as chaplain in two parishes, the hospital and Lions. This was his greatest calling, did so well and was liked by many, he was a leader of prayer.

Dwaine and Susan enjoyed helping with marriage preparation or any kind of education to help others. In Lions he belonged to these clubs starting in La Crosse, Menasha, Grand Rapids, Lake Du Bay, Detroit Lakes (MN) and finally Lake Du Bay. He served in many positions and very involved especially loving the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, serving as a director. They moved to Detroit Lakes in 2017, but after a few years, they missed Wisconsin that they came back in December 2021. Dwaine was a Birch Sturm (Lions fellowship) and progressive Melvin Jones fellow.

Dwaine is survived by his beloved wife Sue, child Michael (Amanda) Habrat, grandchildren Asher, Lauren and Reese; his dogs Max and Jack; Foster sister Dorothy (Edward) Sapa and their children; nephew/friend Al and Laura Sapa, nephew Dan and Joan Sapa, niece Lori (Mark) Delfosse, niece Christine Sapa, nephew/friend Ed, Jr. and Chris Sapa; foster sister-in-law Nola Dobratz, brothers-in-law Jack (Joan) Stringer and Gary (Evette) Stringer. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, fellow Lions and friends.

He was preceded in death by his foster siblings Wally Dobratz, and Joanne (Leonard) Wiesling.

Memorials may be designated to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation or the Lions International Foundation, or the Lion’s Eye Bank of Wisconsin in Dwaine’s honor.

Dwaine’s family would like to extend a thank you to the staff at Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services for the kind and compassionate care given to him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Holy Spirit Parish, 2151 Stanley St. in Stevens Point. Rev. Dennis Lynch will officiate the service. The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at Shuda Funeral Chapel, 3200 Stanley St. in Stevens Point, from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, and again Friday morning at the church from 10-11 a.m.

Burial will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 18, 2023 at Highland Memorial Park in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

Shuda Funeral Chapel in Stevens Point is assisting the family with arrangements.