PRAIRIE DU SAC - Paul W. Hefty, age 70, of Prairie du Sac, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025, at St. Mary's Hospital. He was born on March 31, 1955, in Madison, Wis., the son of Willard and Constance “Connie” (Ladien) Hefty.

Paul graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He married Nancy (Kendall) Hefty on March 21, 1981, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Middleton.

Paul served as a Senior Detective with the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department until his retirement in 2006. Paul was a founding member and team leader of Sauk County Dive Team and a PADI Instructor. Throughout his career, he was actively involved with multiple law enforcement associations throughout Sauk County and the state of Wisconsin. Following his retirement, he pursued his passion for assisting others by working as a Tax Specialist. He often shared his guiding belief: “Education is something that no one can take from you.”

Paul enjoyed scuba diving, volleyball, vintage auto racing and flying. He expressed his creativity through photography. He also enjoyed woodworking and after Hurricane Katrina went to New Orleans on a mission trip to help rebuild homes. As a jack of all trades, he was always ready for the call to action and willing to help anyone in need. He enjoyed computers and was a Tetris master of packing for road trips. He loved animals, especially his cats and dogs.

Paul was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son and brother. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy; two daughters, Brenda Teela and Kayla (Sam) Brager; grandson, Donavin; brother, Terry (Noel) Hefty; sisters, Gail (Jerry) McGinley, Jackie Hefty and Jennifer Hefty; siblings-in-law, Irene Kendall and Sam (Jean Stauffacher) Kendall; mother-in-law, Charlotte Kendall; godsons, Michael Kendall and Tyler Klingenmeyer; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and father-in-law, Francis Kendall.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, at 1 p.m. on Tuesday July 8, 2025. Burial will be held at St. Luke's Lutheran Cemetery for immediate and extended family. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday.

A special thank you to emergency service personnel at Sauk Prairie Police Department, Sauk Prairie EMS, Sauk Prairie Hospital, MedFlight and St. Mary’s Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church or the University of Wisconsin Foundation.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761

Paul W Hefty

March 31, 1955 - June 20, 2025

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