Susan Ann Haffner

Susan A. Haffner, 88, passed away Monday, Aug. 31, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospice in Indianapolis. Born Dec. 26, 1931, in Fort Wayne, she was the daughter of the late Clement and Helen Steigmeyer. She graduated from Central Catholic High School and St. Francis College, both in Fort Wayne, and received a Bachelor’s, and later a Master’s Degree, in Elementary Education. Susan lived in Canton and Kettering Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky and Cicero, Indiana before moving to Indianapolis.

Susan served her family, her Catholic faith and her community her whole life. She was an educator through and through, teaching in public and Catholic grade schools, including many years at Mother of Good Counsel Catholic School in Louisville. She often requested 2nd grade in the Catholic schools, as she relished the opportunity to prepare and direct the children’s First Communion. She was a champion of Religious Education throughout her lifetime, teaching innumerable children each Sunday after Mass. In addition to her teaching duties, she was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, taking the Body of Christ to the ill and homebound of her parish, and she volunteered with the American Red Cross and Catholic Charities, teaching English to refugees.

In Indianapolis she was a member of St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, where she enjoyed attending daily Mass with her husband. In her later years she was also a long-term volunteer at Conner Prairie Living History Museum in Fishers, IN, continuing to expose her servant’s and teacher’s heart.

Susan was preceded in death by her adoring husband, John Michael Haffner; grandchild, Grace Noël Heckman; parents; and siblings David Steigmeyer, Mary Federspiel, John Steigmeyer, and her twin Paul Steigmeyer.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Offerle; children, Helen (Thom) West, Paula Haffner, Carol (Tom) Heckman, and Stephen (Mary Beth) Haffner; and grandchildren Anna, John and Teresa Heckman, and Lindsay and Tara Haffner. Susan was a treasure to many, and while we deeply mourn her loss, we rejoice that she is now and forever in the loving arms of God.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Indiana (Alz.org/Indiana), or to any brave and selfless teacher’s classroom wishlist, virtual or otherwise.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, September 5 at 1 PM with Visitation 12 noon until the time of Mass at St. Simon Catholic Church, 8155 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236.

She was laid to rest at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery, 9001 Haverstick Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240 following the Mass.

For those unable to attend, the Mass was recorded. It is uploaded in the link below.

https://youtu.be/XTy09w6Xcm0

Funeral Mass for Susan Haffner

Eulogy/Words of Remembrance  (written and presented by Teresa Heckman and Lindsay Haffner, granddaughters)

(Teresa) Good afternoon, thank you for joining us to celebrate the life of Susan Ann Haffner. Susan was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, teacher, and follower of Christ. Grandma had many roles in her life, but everything she did, she did with the heart of a servant, always putting others before herself.

Grandma served her children. Aside from accompanying her kids to countless ballet lessons, doctor and dentist appointments, and sports practices and games, she also made an effort to make her kids’ childhoods special and memorable. On the evening of July 20th, 1969, she woke her four sleeping children to watch Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. And the next day she went out and bought four newspapers, one for each of them as a keepsake to remember the momentous occasion.

The love and effort didn’t stop, though, when her children grew up. She and grandpa were always willing to lend a hand whether it was babysitting the grandkids for one afternoon, or taking care of me and my brother for two weeks while my parents picked up my sister from China. And when the last two grandkids came along, the love only grew.

Grandma served her grandchildren. She served us in big ways- like teaching us the power of prayer, and small ways- like making sure we never missed our favorite show. When my siblings and I went to grandma’s house after school, we would always run straight to the TV. Grandma had cable, which was a special treat for us. My brother John used to love SpongeBob, which was on every weekday at 4pm. Grandma made sure he never missed it. Even into high school, if we were ever at her house at 4pm, Grandma would remind us it was time for SpongeBob. We never had the heart to tell her we had outgrown our favorite show.

I can remember making fun of grandma one day for not knowing how to spell when she signed my birthday card “love, Gramma”,  g-r-a-m-m-a. I said, “Grandma, you were a teacher, how can you not know how to spell this word?!” She smiled and shrugged her shoulders saying, “I’m not grand, I’m just gramma.”

But she was undeniably grand to us.

(Lindsay) She was so grand to us in the seemingly small gestures. My sister and I are two and a half years apart, so our birthdays are not near each other. However, whenever it was Tara’s birthday, Grandma would bring me a gift as well, and vice versa. Only grandmas can be counted on to bring you gifts on your sibling’s birthday, and our grandma never failed.

Grandma served her husband. I will always marvel at how those two managed to communicate in the last couple decades of their marriage. Grandma’s hearing just got worse and worse, and due to his surgery on his vocal chords, Grandpa couldn’t talk above a whisper. This made for an interesting dynamic between the two, but somehow they found a way to communicate and serve each other nonetheless. Grandma spent her days keeping track of his medicine and doctor visits, and she made sure they got to daily Mass. At every holiday meal, Grandpa would end the prayer with thanking God for Grandma for always taking such good care of him.

Last but not least, Grandma served Christ. Her faith was the most important thing in her life. As a teacher, she was proud of her position in second grade because she had the very important job of preparing her students for First Communion. She participated in daily Mass with Grandpa, prayed the rosary, attended Adoration, and gave her time, talent, and treasure to the Church. She taught us how to pray, and constantly reminded us to do so. Sleepovers at Grandma’s house always ended with the guardian angel prayer. In the final few years of her life, Grandma always wore a St. Padre Pio bracelet that said “Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry.” While the last part of that was challenging for her to say the least, her prayer life never faltered.

We love our grandmother very much and will miss her dearly. Her life touched so many people, and for the two of us especially, it has inspired us in our career choices. Grandma was an elementary school teacher, and now so are we. This has led us to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the truly immense love and selfless devotion she had in her heart for those around her. Her hard work, humor, kindness, and servant leadership will continue to inspire us and those who were blessed enough to know her, love her, and be loved by her. Rest in peace, Grandma. We will miss you always. Susan Ann Haffner, pray for us.

Petitions

For Susan, who in baptism was given the promise of eternal life, that she may now be admitted to the company of the saints. We pray to the Lord.

For us who mourn Susan’s death, that God will fill us with the peace she now enjoys. We Pray to the Lord.

For teachers, may they have the patience, love, and servant’s heart that Susan had for her students. We pray to the lord.

For all those who cared for Susan in the final years of her life, and for those who have lovingly supported her family with prayers and numerous acts of kindness. We pray to the Lord.

For our deceased relatives and friends, especially John Haffner, whom we still miss today. May they be at peace in the arms of Jesus, and eagerly now welcome Susan into God’s heavenly home. We pray to the Lord.

Opening Song: Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo

Funeral Mass Celebrant:  Rev. Douglas W. Marcotte

Gathering Hymn: Open the Eyes of My Heart   (Cantor: Elle Krauter  Piano: Christopher Board)

Placing of the Pall: Helen West, Paula Haffner, Steve Haffner, Carol Heckman

Placing of Christian Symbols: Tara Haffner

Eulogy: Teresa Heckman and Lindsay Haffner (Granddaughters)

First Reading Wisdom 3:1-9 (Carol Heckman)

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: Romans 6:3-9 (Steve Haffner)

Homily – Father Doug

Prayers of the Faithful – Deacon Mike Braun

Preparation of the Altar and Gifts: The Servant Song

Communion Hymn: Prayer of St. Francis

Meditation: Ave Maria sung by Suzy McDaniel

Commendation: Song of Farewell

Sending Forth: Trading my Sorrows https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqjivEw7gzE

Pall Bearers- John, Anna, Teresa and Tom Heckman, Helen West, Dustin Argo

Funeral Mass for Susan Haffner – Worship Aid 

Opening Hymn: Open the Eyes of My Heart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idQ1n3cdgfo

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord

Open the eyes of my heart

I want to see You I want to see You (Repeat)

To see You high and lifted up

Shinin’ in the light of Your glory

Pour out Your power and love

As we sing holy, holy, holy (To Verse)

First Reading (Carol Heckman): Wisdom 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself. As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; They shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and God’s care is with his elect.

Psalm 23 – I Shall Not Want

Response: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Second Reading (Stephen Haffner): Romans 6:3-9

A Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans

Brothers and Sisters:

Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12a

When he saw the crowds, Jesus went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

Offertory / Preparation of the Gifts – The Servant Song

Will you let me be your servant,

Let me be as Christ to you;

Pray that I may have the grace to

Let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,

We are trav’lers on the road;

We are here to help each other

Walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ-light for you

In the night-time of your fear;

I will hold my hand out to you,

Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;

When you laugh I’ll laugh with you.

I will share your joy and sorrow

‘Til we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven

We shall find such harmony,

Born of all we’ve known together

Of Christ’s love and agony.

Communion – Prayer of Saint Francis

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love

Where there is injury, Your pardon Lord

And where there’s doubt, true faith in You

Make me a channel of Your peace

Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope

Where there is darkness, only light

And where there’s sadness, ever joy

Oh Master, grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of Your peace

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

In giving of ourselves that we receive

And in dying that we’re born to eternal life

Communion Meditation – Ave Maria (Sung By Suzy McDaniel)

Closing / Sending Forth – Trading My Sorrows (Yes, Lord!)

Verse:

I’m trading my sorrows,

I’m trading my shame;

I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord.

I’m trading my sickness,

I’m trading my pain;

I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord.

Chorus:

We say yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord.

Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord.

Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord, Amen.

Bridge:

I am pressed but not crushed, persecuted, not abandoned,

Struck down but not destroyed.

I’m blessed beyond the curse, for his promise will endure,

That his joy’s gonna be my strength.

Though the sorrow may last for the night, His joy comes with the morning.

Verse:

I’m trading my sorrows,

I’m trading my shame;

I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord.

I’m trading my sickness,

I’m trading my pain;

I’m laying it down for the joy of the Lord. (To Chorus)

Sue would be overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude to see you all here. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, support, and prayers.

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry.” – St. Padre Pio