Blanche Havener
Blanche Havener
Blanche Havener
January 3, 1921 – October 12, 2018
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 97
Blanche Havener, 97, of Oskaloosa passed away Friday evening, October 12, 2018, at her home in Oskaloosa. Blanche Lillian (Gotta) Havener was born on January 3, 1921, in Lovilla, Iowa. Her parents were Dominic Gotta and Clarissa (Newton) Gotta.
Blanche’s father emigrated from Genoa, Italy; he was a coal miner in and around Lovilla. Her mother passed away from pneumonia when Blanche was 7. At the age of 9, Dominic was killed in a mine accident. Blanche lived with her grandparents until their death and then lived with her aunt and uncle with eight other children. Her uncle was also a coal miner. Life was tough during the Depression.
At 15, Blanche decided to leave high school and moved in with her married sister. Later, at 16, she went to work in Oskaloosa at the Overall Factory.
In 1939, at the age of 18, she married Paul Havener. Paul and Blanche lived on his family farm near Tracy, Iowa. She was a small 85-pound woman, yet a hard working farm wife and mother of two children, Dennis and Paulette. Around 1960, they moved to University Park, and Paul farmed around Cedar. Paul and Blanche became members of the First Christian Church, and their faith carried them through 72 years together.
Blanche and Paul were preceded in death by their son, Dennis, who died at the age of 13 in a tragic home accident. Again, their faith and commitment to each other helped them to prevail. Paul and Blanche left a strong legacy; they were always hard workers and were successful in farming.
Blanche’s memory is cherished by her daughter, Paulette of Oconomowoc, WI; the grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Angela Simons Risch (& David), and children: Jack and Joey Risch of Nashota, WI; Joseph (& Cindy) Simons, of Pewaukee, WI; Sara Simons Fearn (& Kenny), and children: Teddy, and soon a baby girl of Kansas City, MO; dearly loved nephews and their wives: Charles (& Jane) Havener, Don (& Connie) Havener, Alan (& Robin) Gotta; a niece, Denise Gotta; grandnieces, Lora Hoit and Debra Hoit; and beloved friend and caregiver, Betty Kaufman.
In addition to her parents and her son Dennis, Blanche was preceded in death by Paul in 2012; and her three siblings: John Gotta, Mayme (Gotta) Winegardner, and Gene Gotta.
We are all grateful to God that He has blessed Blanche in her life and for His compassion in her passing.
Funeral service for Blanche will be at 11 a.m., Monday, October 15, 2018, at The First Christian Church in Oskaloosa with Pastor Molly Goodrich and Pastor Alvern Boetsma officiating.
Private burial will be in Forest Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from at 10 a.m. to service time Monday morning at the church. Langkamp Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church, The American Cancer Society, the Susan B. Komen Foundation, or the Ecumenical Food Cupboard in Oskaloosa.
Send memories and condolences to the family by visiting langkampfuneralchapel.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Blanche Havener please visit our Sympathy Store.
