Jeanette Frances Bahle's Obituary
Jeanette F. Bahle, age 99, just weeks before turning 100, passed away on August 27, 2024. She was born on September 19, 1924, and grew up in McCallsburg, Iowa, the daughter of John and Clara Hauptly. She had one brother, Eugene Hauptly, of Marshalltown, Iowa.
In 1942, at the age of 18, Jeanette left McCallsburg for business school in Des Moines. She was an active member of the Beta Sigma Phi business school sorority and sang in the choir at St. John's Lutheran Church. During the Big Band Era she never missed a chance to see the big bands that traveled through Des Moines.
After graduating from business college Jeanette went on to work for the Red Cross Blood Center, where she also volunteered. She later worked at Iowa State University in a statistical lab and then at United Airlines as a secretary at Eppley Airfield in Omaha. It was in Ames that she met Gerhardt, her beloved husband of 67 years, on a blind date. A year later they were married in St. Louis. In 1949 they moved to Omaha after Gerhardt graduated from Iowa State University and joined the Omaha Public Power District.
Jeanette had a passion for music, art, and cats. She volunteered for several organizations throughout the years, sharing her time and talents generously. For over six decades she and Gerhardt were devoted attendees of the Playhouse and Symphony Pops. They were also faithful members of Bethany Lutheran Church. The couple was fortunate to have traveled together across five continents, making countless memories along the way.
Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Gerhardt P. Bahle; her parents, John and Clara Hauptly; and her brother, Eugene Hauptly. She is survived by her children, Susan Higgins, Nancy Bogard (Bernard), and Anita Bahle (Jerry Slack); grandchildren Anthony Higgins, Casey Wythers (Micah), Benjamin Higgins (Katherine), Nicholas Higgins (Abigail), Michelle Bailey (Brian), Lisa Hobson (David), and Mark Bogard (Jennifer); and great-grandchildren Ethan Higgins, Tryston, Roe, and Emerson Wythers, Eleanora Higgins, Elliott and Leona Bailey, and Harry Hobson.
A service to celebrate Jeanette's life will be held on Sunday, October 6, at 1:00 p.m. at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, NE 68124. Jeanette and Gerhardt will be buried together on Monday, October 7, at 1:30 p.m. at Omaha National Cemetery, 14250 Schram Road, Omaha, NE 68138.
Memorials may be made to The Humane Society or the Omaha Symphony, reflecting her love for animals and music.
Jeanette's grace, kindness, and love for life will be fondly remembered by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.
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