Obituary for Jane May Haahr

Jane May Haahr, age 77, passed away Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Independence Village in Ames, Iowa. Jane was born May 18, 1948, in Red Oak, Iowa to Max Naylor and Edith (Bass) Naylor. She graduated from Red Oak High School in 1966. With both parents and a grandparent proudly graduating from Iowa State University, there was never any doubt where Jane would attend college. She majored in French at Iowa State University, graduating with distinction in 1970 and earning membership in Mortar Board.

A blind date arranged by her sister, Margaret, in 1966 sparked a love story that lasted more than 60 years. Jane and Dennis Haahr were married in June 1969. That fall, Dennis was drafted into the U.S. Army, and Jane completed her final year of college during his service. She taught French in junior high schools in Mason City until staff reductions eliminated her position.

Following Dennis's return from the Army, the couple moved to Charles City and later to Flowerwood Hill, a wooded acreage along the river near Floyd, Iowa. After a brief time working as a bank cashier, Jane was recruited by Salsbury Laboratories in Charles City, beginning a long career in international customer service within the animal health industry. Through company mergers, she relocated to Kansas City with Fort Dodge Animal Health and later Pfizer. Opportunities to work from computer-based offices in Kansas City, Fort Dodge, and Charles City eventually led Jane and Dennis to settle in their perfect home in Ames in 2008. Jane dedicated 32 years to international customer service before retiring.

A farm girl at heart, Jane grew up working alongside her father on the family farm in Montgomery County, Iowa. Whether driving a tractor through the fields or riding her horse, Dolly, to check on newborn calves, she loved life on the farm. Her mother, a home economics teacher, taught Jane the art of detailed sewing and the importance of being a great cook.

Jane was deeply involved in her communities. She served on the Charles City City Council until moving outside city limits to Flowerwood Hill and later served as president of local PEO chapters in both Charles City and Ames. Singing was one of Jane's great joys—she performed with the Charles City Singers and sang in the choir in Ames and at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Jane and Dennis shared a love of travel, enjoying numerous trips with family and friends from work, choir groups, furniture dealers, and a close-knit group of four other college couples who were all married in the 1960s and traveled together for more than 18 years.

Jane is survived by her husband, Dennis Haahr; son, Nikolas Haahr; daughter, Lauren (Jeff) Wood; and grandson, Easton Wood. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Margaret Naylor Nelson.

Funeral services will be Friday February 20 at 10 AM at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224. A celebration of life will be held in Charles City at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association are appreciated.