Neva Jean (Parsons) Haberer, of Luray, Kansas, passed away surrounded by family on September 13, 2013 at Russell, Kansas, at the age of 85 years.  She was born April 7, 1928 on the family farm in Osborne County, Kansas.  Jean was the daughter of Archie and Jessie Marie (Van Amburg) Parsons.

 Jean attended grade school at Prairie Dale School in Osborne County.  The old country schoolhouse was located near the lane of her home for the last 66 years.  She graduated from Luray High School with the class of 1946.  She completed normal training and earned a teaching certificate from Fort Hays State College before teaching at Union School, District 68, Russell County, KS in 1946-47. 

Jean married Rudolph Richard Haberer on February 9, 1947 at St. John Lutheran Parsonage, Russell, Kansas.  Four children were born to this union: Lynda, Beverly, Kimberly, and Rudolph II.  Jean and Rudy were co-owners of R & J Service (originally R & O Service) established in Luray in 1963.  Jean was a bookkeeper for the business for 33 years.  She operated the station for 5 years after her husband died, until it closed in 1996.

No farmer could have asked for a better wife, since she worked alongside Rudy in all aspects of farm life.   Family was an important part of Jean’s life.  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting and genealogy.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Doris (Parsons) White and brothers, Donald, Dale, Blaine and Dwayne Parsons.

Jean is survived by her children and their spouses, Lynda and James Weichel of Naperville, IL, Beverly Hinchcliff and Lee Ems of Topeka, KS, Kimberly and Rick Ptacek of Victoria, KS, and Rudy and Rhonda Haberer of Luray.  She is also survived by her sisters-in-law and spouses, Wilmetta and Dale Libal of Salina, KS and Lillian and Robert Baier of Salina, KS, in addition to 11 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

A graveside service to honor Neva’s life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at the Luray City Cemetery with Pastor Gary Hanson officiating.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Monday, September 16, 2013, at the mortuary with the family greeting guests from 6:30 P.M. to 8 P.M. Monday evening.  In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a local youth group, Kids for Christ, or to Down Syndrome Society of Wichita.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of the funeral arrangements.