Steven Jackson Haffener

Steven Jackson Haffener, age 76, of Paola, Kansas died on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, at the Dengel & Son Mortuary-Paola Chapel from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Funeral services will be on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the First Baptist Church of Paola (207 E Wea St.) beginning at 10:30am. Burial will be at the City of Paola Cemetery following the funeral service.

Steven was born February 9, 1948, in Santa Monica, California. He was the son of John (Jack) Haffener and Selma Geisler Haffener. He grew up in Alta Vista, Kansas and graduated from Alta Vista High School in 1966. Steven graduated from Emporia State with a degree in secondary education. Steven married Virginia Daniels on July 10, 1971. After living briefly in Olathe, Kansas, they moved to Paola. They were blessed with three children, Brett, Renae, and Janet. Steven taught 8th grade science for 45 years and retired in 2017. His passion for teaching went well beyond the classroom, and he taught people any chance he could get. He also loved telling jokes whenever he could.

He attended the First Baptist Church of Paola where he contributed as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He also enjoyed serving people whenever he could. He was a member of the Miami County Fair Board and regularly walked the dog down to the fairgrounds to check things out. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He loved hunting, fishing, playing chess, and gardening. He also regularly took the family out boating to see if he could knock the kids off the tube. Steven touched many lives wherever he went through education, example and leadership in Spring Hill Middle School, coaching, 4-H, church service, and volunteer work.

The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the many family and friends who came to visit Steven while at Spring Hill Care & Rehab. It meant the world to him.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Selma Haffener, and sister-in-law Lisa Haffener. He is survived by his wife Virginia Haffener, son Brett (Jeena) Haffener of Kearney, Nebraska (grandchildren Cade, Sydney, Jackson and Maxwell), daughter Renae Haffener of Overland Park, Kansas, daughter Janet (Robert) Friedt of Spring Hill, Kansas (grandchildren Jakin and Elysia), sister Jeannine McClellan of Topeka, Kansas, brother Bob (Sara) Haffener of Alta Vista, Kansas, brother Joe Haffener of Jenks, Oklahoma, and many more loving family members and friends.

If desired, memorial donation contributions may be made out to First Baptist Church of Paola.

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