Jean Hafner

Jean Ann Hafner, 85, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Monday, December 7, 2009, at the Lakeland Hospice House in Fergus Falls. Jean Ann (Handlon) Hafner was born May 14, 1924, in Grand Forks, North Dakota at St. Micheals Hospital, the daughter of Joseph and Kathryn (Martin) Handlon. She had one sibling, Angela Hanson. She attended the academy of St. James in Grand Forks, graduating in 1942. She then attended nursing school at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana from 1942 – 1945. Her dear and closest friend and classmate was Sister Theresa Malloy, who survives her and lives in Silver Creek, New York. She married the love of her life, Joseph Andrew Hafner, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, Minnesota, on September 1, 1949. Jean worked as a registered nurse at the St. Francis Hospital for 32 years. In 1985 Joe and Jean retired to their lake home on Pickerel Lake. She was an active member of Christian Mothers and President of the Guild at St. Mary’s in Breckenridge. She organized the first parish dinner at the fair in Breckenridge and for many years belonged to the Foresters. She has been a member of St. James Catholic Church since 1984 and was active in circle, serving for funerals and fundraising. Jean enjoyed being with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and also traveling and being with friends. She also enjoyed playing cards, and canning pickles and vegetables. She loved to bake, and made a cake for every family who had a death, or for any special occasion for her family. Jean always enjoyed her animal friends, especially Joe Black the cat, and German shorthair dogs, Emma, Reese, and Misty. She loved the lake and watching birds. She was able to spend the last two months in her rural home by the lake. This was a happy time for her and her family. Jean is survived in love by her family, three daughters, Diana (Leland) Faugno of Escondido, California, Lee Ann Jensen of Moorhead, and Patricia (Steven) Ahlschlager of Underwood; seven grandchildren, Jeremy (Lisa) Jensen, Christopher (Becca) Faugno, Jessie (Jesùs) Sandoval, Amanda (Kelcey) Klemm, Jody Jensen, Brenda (Charles) Hammonds, and Donald Ahlschlager and special friend Kely Wakely; and nine great-grandchildren, Mikayla, Triston and Silas Hammonds, Landyn Faugno, Elise and Joseph Jensen, Amado and Andres Sandoval, and Ava Klemm. She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Kathryn Handlon; her spouse, Joseph Hafner; and her sister Angela Hanson. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the church with parish prayers at 6:30 p.m., and  resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2009 at St. James Catholic Church,  Maine Clergy: Father Greg Paffel Interment:   St. James Catholic Church Cemetery, Maine, Minnesota Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com