Bette Jean Sisson (Johnson) Haefner

Bette Jane Sisson (Johnson) Haefner, age 88, of Mankato, was well cared for and died peacefully on Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at Oaklawn Health Care Center in Mankato of dementia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m., Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Salvation Army or an organization of the donor's choice. Bette was born on December 3, 1926 to Earl and Ardella (Horsman) Sisson in Spring Valley, MN during the depression. She and her brothers, Floyd, Donald, Billy, and Hobbs "Johnny" were placed in the Owatonna orphanage when she was 10 and her infant sister, Mary was raised by her Mother. She was a foster child to the Johnson's Bakery owners from age 10 to 19 with their daughter, Phyllis (Davis). She graduated from Mankato High School. Bette reunited her biological family after she married, Aloysius "Allie" Haefner on March 1, 1946. She was a busy and loving mother to 12 children, farm wife, and friend who will be remembered for her gift to smile, incredible sense of humor, laugh, and care for those whom she befriended. She worked 20+ years at the St. Peter State Hospital until her retirement. Bette is survived by eleven of her thirteen children: Pat (Roger) Berg of Rayville, MO, Jim (Kim) Haefner of Fort Myers, FL, Ken Haefner of Eagle Lake, Dianne (Earle) Traxler of Le Sueur, Donna Anderson of Kasota, Karen Kelley of Kasota, Ron Haefner of Mankato, Rick Haefner of Minneapolis, Carolyn (Brad) Karstens of Mankato, Cliff Haefner of Le Center and Mary Lou (Brian) Krenik of Mankato; 26 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; two sisters, Katheryn Kulas and Bennie Krueger; plus many sisters and brothers-in-law. Bette was preceded in death by her husband, Allie (2005); an infant daughter, Sharon; son, Mike (2014); granddaughter, Jennifer; a great-grandson, Tylor; sisters, Myra Gaustad and Mary Swenson; brothers, Floyd, Donald, Billy, and Hobbs "Johnny"; daughter-in-law, Lori Haefner; and many sisters and brothers-in-law. Bette enjoyed family events, garage sales, crocheting, playing solitaire, the birthday party club on Bittersweet Lane, and many card clubs and sister trips in her retirement years. Dementia took gradual hold of her life after her 2005 bout with a sub-dermal hematoma and she has blessed many caregivers with her smile and personality from that point on. We would like to thank the amazing staff of Oak Terrace Assisted Living and Oaklawn Health Care Center for the love they showed during her years with them . She will be missed immensely.