Jeanette Haas, 83, of Savanna passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Freeport Memorial Hospital.  Visitation will be at 9:30 on Saturday, September 5, at Saint Peter's Lutheran Church in Savanna with the Funeral Service at 11:00.  Graveside services will follow immediately after at the St. Peter's Cemetery.

Jeanette was born September 13, 1936 in Pleasant Valley, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Ernest and Mary (Staub) Kleckner, the youngest of 11 children.  She graduated from Stockton High School in 1954.  On August 28, 1955, Jeanette married Allen Arthur Haas. They made their home on Scenic Ridge Road, near the farm, where they raised their two sons and lived together the rest of their lives.  Jeanette and Allen were happily married for nearly 57 years before Allen passed away in 2012.

Jeanette was a hard worker all of her life.  She worked the farm with her husband, Allen, as well as worked at various times at the Savanna State Bank, Mount Carroll Mutual Insurance, and as a waitress.  Jeanette continued to take an interest in the farm until the end, staying up-to-date on the crops and the new baby calves.

Jeanette also enjoyed taking trips with her husband, family and friends, whether fishing in Wisconsin or Missouri, seeing car races in Milwaukee, or driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains.  One highlight was taking an Amtrak trip to the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas for her and Allen's 50 ^th wedding anniversary.  Jeanette's hobbies included refinishing furniture and cooking goodies and big meals for her family.

Jeanette always enjoyed keeping up with her large family and loved the vitality and fun generated by her many siblings, nieces, and nephews.   She was also blessed with many wonderful lifelong neighbors and friends. She and Allen shared many fun times at neighborhood potlucks and get-togethers at the supper club with euchre games and dancing.  Jeanette had many old friends, but she also made new ones easily.  An expressive storyteller, Jeanette was known for her memorable fun stories. She was a warm and welcoming person and always made you feel at home.

Jeanette was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.  She especially treasured the time spent with her children growing up, watching them participate in 4-H activities, football games, and such craziness as riding mini-bikes.  In later years, her granddaughters, Margaret and Anna, were a big part of her life.  She was a cheerleader and role model for them, remained close to them throughout their lives, and took great pride in their achievements.  Jeanette was especially grateful to have had the chance to meet her wonderful grandson-in-law, Tom, and recently her great-grandbaby, Nicholas.  And of course she loved the many pets in the family throughout the years and could always be counted on for a little treat under the table.

Jeanette had a backbone of titanium.  She always stood strong for what was right and wouldn't give up, and she always encouraged others to do so as well.  Jeanette was strong in faith, living it in her care and kindness toward others.

Jeanette is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Steven and Mary Haas of Savanna, IL; two granddaughters, Anna Haas of Chicago, IL, and Margaret (Thomas) DeMay of Oak Park, IL; one great-grandson, Nicholas DeMay; one sister, Vivian Otte of Lena; brother-in-law, Wayne Haas, sister and brother-in-law, Lois and Lyle Law, sister-in-law Ruth Kleckner, dozens of nieces and nephews.  Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband, Allen; her son, Dan; her parents; and 3 sisters and 6 brothers.