In Memory of Jeanette M. Haefner

Jeanette Mae Haefner, age 88, of Arthur, Iowa, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the Accura Healthcare in Aurelia, Iowa.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa. Rev. Luann Benge will officiate. Committal services will follow at the Odebolt Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa. 

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com.

Jeanette Mae (Petersen) Haefner, the daughter of Ernest and Irene (Tally) Petersen was born on March 6, 1936, in Early, Iowa. Jeanette grew up in Sac County, moving numerous times as her dad was a farm renter. Jeanette received her education from Odebolt High School graduating with the class of 1954. After graduation, Jeanette worked at the Brower Hotel in Odebolt, Iowa. 

Jeanette married Gordon Lee Haefner on August 24, 1955, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Schaller, Iowa. They lived together on their farm north of Arthur, Iowa, for nearly 70 years. They were blessed with three children: Neil, Rhonda, and Koreen.

Jeanette knew from a young age that she wanted to marry a farmer. One night Jeanette needed a ride home from a high school football game. Gordon gave her a ride, and she talked nonstop all the way. From that moment on, Jeanette and Gordon were inseparable. Gordon always said that was the best football game he ever attended. 

Jeanette was happiest when she was outside cutting and raking hay, plowing, mowing and gardening. Jeanette wanted to learn how to do everything on the farm. She was exceptionally talented at building the perfect silage pile. Jeanette loved animals, especially dogs and cats, and milked Holstein cows for 37 years. 

While their children were growing up, Jeanette was heavily involved in activities at the Arthur Methodist Church. She helped with Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF), taught Sunday School, and coordinated funeral dinners for many years. 

When the time came to sell the milk cows, Jeanette took a job at Schaller Telemarketing in Schaller where she worked for 12 years. 

In her spare time, Jeanette loved to put puzzles together, play solitaire, and all kinds of board games and crossword puzzles. Jeanette was also an avid bank collector. She thought every child should have a bank, and that was always their first gift from her, including some change to get them started. 

Left to cherish her memory include her husband Gordon Haefner of Arthur, IA; children Neil (Julie) Haefner of Grand Junction, IA, Rhonda (Jeff) Linsley of Macon, MO and Koreen (Steve) Delp of Alta, IA; grandchildren Theresa (Brad) Terry of Bettendorf, IA, Jaina (Luke) Spielman of North Liberty, IA, Rheeann Linsley of Columbia, MO, Austin Delp of Scottsdale, AZ, Sheldon Linsley of Columbia, MO and Trenton (Brielle) Delp of Manor, TX; great-grandchildren Lynae, John, Joe, and Mya Terry, Adalyn and Rowan Spielman, and baby boy due in June, and Monroe Delp; sisters-in-law Bonnie Linman and Donna Simonson of Odebolt, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ernest & Irene Petersen; brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Doris Petersen; mother and father-in law Mabyl and Lewis Haefner; brothers-in-law Roger Linman and Duane Simonson; nieces Danel Simonson and Tara Schroeder.