JEAN LAVONNE (KIECKER) FANKHAUSER

Jean Lavonne (Kiecker) Fankhauser

August 20, 1937-April 10, 2017

Jean Lavonne (Kiecker) Fankhauser, age 79, went home to heaven on April 10, 2017 in Mesa, AZ.

Jean was born at home on the family farm in Wellington Township Minnesota on August 20, 1937, to Oscar and Vilora (Hodson) Kiecker. She attended Emanuel Lutheran Grade School and graduated from Fairfax High School. After high school, she graduated from Mankato Business and Commercial College.

Jean was known for her spirited, adventuresome and helpful personality. She often clipped coupons for all her relatives and friends and was always willing to help others in need. She traveled and lived in many states across America before retiring in Arizona. Jean would write church newsletters, just like her mom used to write news for the Fairfax Standard. Professionally she was the bookkeeper for the family tax/accounting firm and served as the Executive Vice President of the Wyoming Automobile Dealers Association.

She was an avid crossword puzzler and letter writer. Jean always signed her letters to family back home, as Love & Thistles, never forgetting her ‘on the farm’ upbringing. A celebration of life was held on her birthday on August 20, 2021 at the farm in Wellington, where she grew up. Now peacefully sleeping in a world of purest light, where angels sing their sweet refrain and where everything shines bright. Gone but not forgotten.

Jean is survived by her two sons, Mark Fankhauser of Scottsdale, AZ, and Barry Fankhauser of Boston, MA; daughter-in-law, Davina Rudnick Fankhauser and grandchildren, Bella and Brennan Fankhauser of Newton, MA; sisters, Janice Kiecker of Red Wing, MN, Geraldine Kiecker of Edgeley, ND, Patricia Young of St. Augusta, MN; sister-in-law, Peggy Kiecker of Fairfax, MN and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Darlene Kiecker; and brothers, Marvin Kiecker and Glenn Kiecker in 2021.