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DWAYNE HAEFFNER was
born March 4, 1938, to Paul and Martha (Auston) Haeffner
in Summersville, Missouri. He passed away on Sunday,
September 28, 2008, at his home surrounded by his
children and companion, Barb. He fought a valiant battle
against cancer.
Dwayne moved to Nebraska at the age
of eleven and attended Deman School in Decatur and then
Decatur High School, where he graduated in 1956. He
served in the U.S. Army from 1956 until 1958, and was
stationed in Korea. In May 1959, Dwayne married Marcia
Randlet. They had three children: Sherri, Brad and
Susan.
Dwayne held a variety of jobs during
his life and was considered a jack-of-all-trades. He
worked in manufacturing, owned restaurant businesses,
and was a cook at the Green Lantern Restaurant for many
years. He enjoyed cooking and eating and the company of
customers and friends. For the past several years, he
worked at the bridge, where he offered a “thumbs-up” to
many travelers and a kind word of encouragement to
casino goers.
Dwayne was a member of the Decatur
Fire Department for many years, during which time he
held the position of Fire Chief. He loved attending the
fish fries and dances at the Fire Hall. He also
supported the Decatur Booster Club and enjoyed the many
activities they sponsored.
Fishing was an important part of
Dwayne’s life. He loved to fish in any location; a hobby
he has passed down to his grandsons. He was proud of his
boat and loved taking it out on the river. Nebraska
football was another favorite past-time. The Husker’s
never failed to excite him, win or lose. Winning was
always preferred!
One of Dwayne’s favorite things to do
was to talk with family and friends. Dwayne spent a lot
of time caring for his mother-in-law, Mildred Gitthens.
They had a special relationship, as he was the son she
never had, and loved him very much. Dwayne visited
Florida many times to see children, Susan and Brad and
Susan’s daughter, Nicole. He loved to eat all kinds of
seafood while there. He also spent many weekends and
holidays with Sherri, Dale and their children, Micah,
Sam and Luke. He also had a special relationship with
Brad’s son, Phillip Forrester, who lives in Decatur.
Dwayne spent the last 5 ½ years with Barb Maslonka. She
became the most important person in his life. They had a
very loving relationship that grew stronger as the years
went by. Her care and devotion were evident the past six
months of his life, when she became his main caretaker.
Dwayne enjoyed Barb’s daughters and their spouses:
Leanne and Duain Zila, Teresa and Brian Loofe, Andrea
and Lyndon Klug. He loved to play cards with Barb’s
sons-in-law and was always trying to whip them. Barb’s
grandchildren also had a special bond with Dwayne. They
all had many good times together.
He was preceded in death by his
parents; and sister: Joann French.
Survivors include: Barb Maslonka;
daughters and son-in-law: Sherri and Dale Nielsen of
Brainard, Nebraska, Susan Fox of Deltona, Florida; son:
Brad and his fiancé, Karen Cornell, of DeBary, Florida;
brother and sister-in-law: Don and Myrt Haeffner of
Decatur; brother-in-law: Larry French of Decatur; five
grandchildren: Phillip Forrester, Micah, Sam and Luke
Nielsen, Nicole Young; great grandchild: Jayda Britton;
many nieces and nephews.
Dwayne was loved by many and will be
missed by all who knew him.
FUNERAL SERVICE:
Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 10:30 a.m. at the United
Methodist Church, Decatur.
BURIAL: Hillcrest
Cemetery with Military Honors by VFW Gleason-Rogers Post
No. 6926 and American Legion Rogers-Crum Post No. 215
VISITATION: Tuesday,
September 30, 2008, 1 - 8 p.m. with the family receiving
friends from 6 - 8 p.m. at Pelan Funeral Home in
Tekamah. Visitation will also be held Wednesday at the
church one hour prior to the service.
MEMORIALS: To the
Family |
